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GEOTHERMAL DRILLING

Day 2 - All Sessions in NORTHSIDE BALLROOM

10:30 am 
Update on NYS Geothermal Drilling Regulations

NY-GEO with other industry and environmental stakeholder groups were able to get new legislation passed which eliminated sections of the regulations for drilling geothermal boreholes deeper than 500 feet.  As you might imagine, regulations are complicated. Simply eliminating aspects of the law that regulated boreholes beyond 500 feet now requires a new set of regulations with the goal prevent negative environmental impacts and promote worker safety while making permitting deeper geothermal boreholes less burdensome than in the past. NY-GEO is working with the DEC to help create new regulations.  This panel includes key members of the NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC) with oversight in this area, with other industry stakeholders.  This session is a window into an ongoing, and very important process.

Speakers:

  • Kevin Moravec / Barney Moravec, Inc.
  • Carrie Friello / NYS DEC - Division of Mineral Management
  • Dave Hermantin / Brightcore Energy
11:45 am
Geothermal Test Bores and TC Testing

Large GSHP projects often require or recommend a test bore with thermal conductivity test be run in advance of final design and to inform bidding contractors of drilling conditions.  In this session the panelists will discuss the background of the testing, the current standard testing conditions and the potential advancements in testing.  There will also be information shared about understanding site geology and the implications on ground heat exchanger performance and drilling conditions that bidding contractors will want to know before making commitments to a scope and price.

Moderator: Aeowyn Kendall / Aztech Geothermal, LLC

Panel:

  • Garen Ewbank / Ewbank Testing
  • Jeffrey Spitler / Oklahoma State University
  • Kortney Lull / Midwest Geothermal, LLC
  • Daniel Sergison / Salas O’Brien
1:45 pm
Designing Borefields with Angled Drilling

For most geothermal vertical drilling projects, the straighter the borehole the better!  But given the right set of circumstances, drilling at an angle has some distinct advantages.  This program brings together people with the experience in the design methodology and tools required to verify the capacities of angled borehole systems.  We'll also hear from those engaged in the installation of angled boreholes.  You’ll learn where it’s being applied and the advantages offered on these projects.

Moderator: David Hermantin / Brightcore Energy

Panel: 

  • Stan Reitsma / GeoSource Energy
  • Dmitry Kuravskiy / Celsius Energy
  • Goran Hellstrom / Brightcore Energy
  • Jeffrey Spitler / Oklahoma State University
3:00 pm
Geothermal Drilling in an Urban Environment

Urban centers are the targets for building electrification, since those are the areas of the greatest concentrations of carbon emissions from buildings.  Geothermal drilling is hard work under the best of conditions, but when you are surrounded by tall buildings with paved surfaces in all directions - the challenges multiply!  Drillers need to have a plan for how to handle all sorts of things, like traffic, noise, ground water, drill cuttings and any special permits required by the state or municipality.   This panel will talk about the added challenges of drilling in dense urban environments and steps to ensure a successful project. 

Moderator:  Brock Yordy / The Developed Well Group

Panel:

  • Garrett Carrino / American Well
  • Kyle Sweeney / Allied Geothermal
  • Gino Di Rezze / Groundheat
  • Kim Ojanne / Rototec USA
  • Michael Scanlon / P.W. Grosser Consulting, Inc.
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