Illinois Geothermal Coalition Technical and Educational Outreach

As Illinois advances towards its goal of converting all energy systems to 100% renewable energy by 2050, it recognizes that other energy sources besides solar and wind are necessary to reach the state’s future demands. Geothermal energy could be the key to replacing conventional heating and cooling systems.

This session informs public stakeholders about the benefits of geothermal energy as a renewable energy source and its applications, technology, and industry. Presenters will discuss heating and cooling efficiencies at multiple scales for public and private infrastructures and how design factors influence the operational performance of geothermal systems. Find related events at go.illinois.edu/LGE.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the online session, contact Nancy Ouedraogo at esarey@illinois.edu. Early requests are strongly encouraged.

Presenters include John Freitag, executive director of the Geothermal Alliance of Illinois, and Tugce Baser and Yu-Feng Forrest, assistant and clinical professors in the Department of Civil Engineering at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Freitag has 30 years of experience with geothermal heat pump technology. Baser specializes in geotechnical engineering and Forrest in geological engineering.

Led by Andrew Stumpf at Illinois State Geological Survey, this research-based outreach effort shares practical applications with stakeholders and decision-makers and is made possible by Extension Collaboration Grants, a partnership between Illinois Extension personnel and researchers at University of Illinois. Financial support for the 2020 awards is provided by the Office of the Provost Investment for Growth Program and Illinois Extension.

Illinois Geothermal Coalition Technical and Outreach Program

Awarded to: Illinois State Geological Survey

Principal Investigator: Andrew Stumpf

Co-Investigators:

• Tugce Baser, assistant professor, Civil & Environmental Engineering
• Nancy Ouedraogo, Extension specialist, Illinois Extension
• Jay Solomon, Extension educator, Illinois Extension

Collaborators:

• Mohamed Attalla, executive director, Facilities & Services
• John Freitag, executive director, Geothermal Alliance of Illinois (GAOI)
• Frank Holcomb, associate director, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Champaign, Illinois
• Madhu Khanna, interim director, Institute of Sustainability, Energy & Environment (iSEE)
• Yu-Feng Lin, director, Illinois Water Resource Center
• Scott Tess, sustainability and resilience officer, City of Urbana
• Steve Whittaker, director, Energy and Minerals, Illinois State Geological Survey