Powering the Future: Stony Brook Celebrates Completion of First Geothermal Series
Stony Brook University’s Office for Research and Innovation kicked off an interdisciplinary 10-week program in March called “Geothermal from the Ground Up,” designed to highlight geothermal energy. On May 20, Stony Brook and its geothermal partners gathered at the Center of Excellence Wireless and Information Technology (CEWIT) to celebrate the successful completion of the first iteration of the program and strategize on further expansion.
Stony Brook Vice President for Research and Innovation Kevin Gardner highlighted the university’s mission to create and disseminate new knowledge, encouraging industry collaboration.
“That’s a mission that puts us on the forefront of universities around the country and around the globe,” he said. “But it also means exploring how we’re going to have an impact on the world. And that impact will come from events and programs like these.”
“This is a great opportunity to bring together those who developed and participated in this program and express our appreciation, not just for creating the content but for understanding the current needs in New York around geothermal energy,” said Derek O’Connor, workforce development manager in the Office for Research and Innovation. “We’ve been meeting with each other on Zoom for the past 10 weeks, and this in-person gathering allows us to strengthen our connections as we work to build the most robust workforce program possible at Stony Brook.”
Content for the virtual series was provided by industry experts including Brightcore Energy, National Grid, New York State Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), TRC Companies, NY-GEO, and the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA). The program featured different industry speakers each week, giving presentations on key challenges with a goal of providing a well-rounded platform of leading-edge geothermal knowledge.
“Stony Brook has really thought about geothermal as a training platform for New York,” said Dave Mancari, vice president of human resources at Brightcore Energy, a co-creator of the series. “Companies like ours need to think about what the energy future of New York will look like. We’re going to need to re-skill our workforce, and we’re working with partners like NYSERDA, New York State Department of Labor, and Stony Brook to figure out where we are today and what we need for the future. I advise everyone here to really think through what the next 20 to 30 years of renewable energy might look like.”
Brightcore Energy was selected to place geothermal technology at Governors Island, future home of The New York Climate Exchange, a world-leading climate solutions center of which Stony Brook is the anchor institution. The company, with offices in New York and Stockholm, is currently transitioning its workforce from oil and gas to geothermal energy.
“We all need to get involved and see what we can do,” said Brian Sapp, regional director of external affairs at National Grid, which also co-sponsored the series. “We need to drive this program forward, drive this industry forward, and really create a workforce of tomorrow. We can’t do this without Stony Brook. I hope each of you enjoyed this workshop and gained so many useful skills throughout it.”
Sapp also mentioned critical investments across New York state to demonstrate the importance of geothermal and how effective it can be in many different climates, suburban and urban areas.
“When it comes to energy, we need all options on the table to address climate change and meet the needs New York will face,” he said. “Reliable and affordable energy remains a top priority for us at National Grid, and geothermal technology presents a unique opportunity to meet those needs. This is going to be a great leap. We’re excited to work with all of you as these projects proceed.”
Con Edison and ICF, a consulting and technology services company, delivered a presentation titled Clean Heat Initiatives.
The Future of Geothermal in New York, a vision boarding and networking session, allowed participants to contribute ideas and goals related to the future of geothermal energy in New York, with a focus on how Stony Brook can be a partner. Topics included: Professional Geothermal Workforce Education, Hands-On Workforce Training for GSHPs and UTENS, Research & Development / Advanced Technology Commercialization, and K–12 and Community Engagement for Geothermal.
O’Connor also thanked National Grid for a recent grant that will fund an accredited installer training program for community college students.
“In June, we are partnering with IGSHPA to train 15 Suffolk County Community College HVAC students in installation and maintenance of residential ground source heat pump systems thanks to a grant we received from National Grid,” O’Connor said. “After three days and passing of their exam, they will be certified installers. We’re really excited to pilot that program.”
“Stony Brook wants to be a partner to the state of New York, to Long Island, and to the country in all these ways,” said Gardner. “We want to be a partner in developing new technology, in getting that new technology out to the world, and in developing the workforce that’s needed for new technology. Geothermal is a great area in which to do that. I encourage you all to consider how Stony Brook can be the partner that your company needs to be an innovator.”