An Introductory Guide to Geothermal Energy
Credits: 3 PDH
PDH Course Description:
Geothermal energy is energy in the form of heat radiating from the Earth’s mantle. It is a sustainable, renewable, and practically inexhaustible energy source for the United States, potentially being used for electricity generation, heating, and cooling,
while emitting only small amounts of greenhouse gases. Geothermal resources can be found nationwide, are “always on,” and represent a potentially vast domestic energy supply. Only a fraction of these resources have been used thus far, because of technical
and non-technical barriers that constrain industry growth.
In this course various types of geothermal energy systems are described, and the problems that must be solved before these systems can be widely implemented are outlined.
Topics:
- Hydrothermal resources
- Enhanced geothermal systems
- Geothermal heat pumps
- Electric power generation
- Geothermal direct use
- Geothermal energy benefits
- Technical barriers to geothermal development
- Non-technical barriers to geothermal development
To take this course:
1.) Enroll in Course: Click below to enroll:
(must be logged into your user account)
Download the Study Guide
3.) Test: Once you've thoroughly read the course materials, please click below to take the final examination.
Take the final exam
4.) Certificate: A passing grade of 70% or higher on the exam, is required to receive the certificate of completion for this PDH course.
NOTE: After the exam is completed, you will need to return to this page, in order to print (download) the certificate of completion.
Print the Certificate of Completion
Intended Audience: This course is intended for civil, electrical, and mechanical engineers concerned with the future of the power industry.
Publication Source: The course is based on Chapter 2 of the U.S. Department of Energy report, GeoVision: Harnessing the Heat Beneath our Feet, DOE/EE-1306, Washington, D.C., 2019.
Mark Rossow PhD, PE (retired)