Geothermal air conditioning is accomplished with a geothermal heat
pump, also called a ground source heat pump, abbreviated GSHP,
(alternately, ground source closed loop heat pump).
It is evidently futile to attempt to narrow the search to Arecibo.
Even restricting the search to Puerto Rico produces very meager
results. All of relevant sites tend to focus upon the Center for
Energy and Environmental Research of the University of Puerto Rico as
the best source of information about geothermal energy in the
Commonwealth.
For instance:
GEOTHERMAL/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY RESEARCH
CMU students enter national competition with novel ideas for
solar-powered home
http://www.post-gazette.com/healthscience/20020812solarsciencep2.asp
"The construction pace has lagged, however; the team didn't expect to
finish enclosing the house until today. By contrast, the University of
Puerto Rico finished its house and this weekend began shipping its
pieces to Washington. The University of Virginia entry is being
tested, King said, and Virginia Tech has already built its house and
has tested disassembling it."
And many others using the search terms:
geothermal research Puerto Rico
The basic source of information about GSHP technology, however, is the
US Department of Energy.
CENTER FOR ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
US Department of Energy
Geothermal Energy Program: Geothermal Heat Pump Overview
http://www.eren.doe.gov/geothermal/heatpumpsover.html (see below)
This leads to other Web pages at the site. Among them:
Bureau of Environmental Management
Puerto Rico
http://www.em.doe.gov/bemr96/pr.html
This shows that the departmental organization in Puerto Rico that is
affiliated with the DOE in Geothermal research is, indeed, the Center
for Energy and Environmental Research. One campus associated with the
program is at Mayaguez.
University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez
http://www.uprm.edu/
College of Arts and Sciences
http://www.uprm.edu/ac
A search for the Center using the Spanish version of its name, Centro
de Energia e Investigacion Ambiental, also yields:
Environmental Links Worldwide
http://premium.caribe.net/~fantosva/elink.htm
Puerto Rico
http://www.weea.org/ONLINE/DIRECT/COUNTRY/puertori.htm
Centro de Energia e Investigacion Ambiental de la Universidad de
Puerto Rico
(Center for Energy and Environment Research of the University of
Puerto Rico)
Address: G.P.O. Box 3682
Bio-Medico Edificio
Caparra Heights Station
San Juan 00936
Phone: (809) 767-0350
Other information about GSHP that might provide useful local
resources:
OTHER RESOURCES
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Geothermal Heat Pump Overview
http://www.eren.doe.gov/geothermal/heatpumpsover.html
"The geothermal heat pump, also known as the ground source heat pump,
is a highly efficient renewable energy technology that is gaining wide
acceptance for both residential and commercial buildings.
Geothermal heat pumps are used for space heating and cooling, as well
as water heating. Its great advantage is that it works by
concentrating naturally existing heat, rather than by producing heat
through combustion of fossil fuels.
The technology relies on the fact that the Earth (beneath the surface)
remains at a relatively constant temperature throughout the year,
warmer than the air above it during the winter and cooler in the
summer, very much like a cave. The geothermal heat pump takes
advantage of this by transferring heat stored in the Earth or in
ground water into a building during the winter, and transferring it
out of the building and back into the ground during the summer. The
ground, in other words, acts as a heat source in winter and a heat
sink in summer.
The system includes three principal components:
• Geothermal earth connection subsystem
• Geothermal heat pump subsystem
• Geothermal heat distribution subsystem"
Geothermal Heat Pumps Make Sense for Homeowners
http://www.eren.doe.gov/geothermal/ghp_homeowners.html
"Geothermal heat pumps are one of the most efficient ways to heat and
cool a home and provide hot water. More and more homeowners are
discovering the benefits of these systems, which tap the relatively
constant temperature of the Earth a few feet underground, for both new
homes and retrofits in existing houses.
Why a Geothermal Heat Pump?
The installation of a heating or cooling system is a decision that
will affect a homeowner's comfort—and pocketbook—for years to come.
One option to think about is a geothermal heat pump (GHP), which is
one of the most cost-effective and longest-lasting heating and cooling
systems on the market. Plus, GHPs provide free hot water as a
byproduct of air conditioning for the household in the summer.
Also known as ground-source heat pumps or GeoExchangeSM systems, GHPs
provide many benefits to the homeowner in both new and retrofit
situations. Surveys by utilities illustrate a high level of
satisfaction with GHPs compared to conventional systems. In fact, more
than 95% of all GHP users would recommend a similar system to their
friends and family.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), GeoExchange
systems are the most energy- efficient, environmentally clean, and
cost-effective space conditioning systems available (source: "Space
Conditioning: The Next Frontier," EPA 430-R-93-004, April 1993)."
Geothermal Heat Pumps for Medium and Large Buildings
http://www.eren.doe.gov/geothermal/ghp_buildings.html
"Business owners around the United States are installing geothermal
heat pumps to heat and cool their buildings. This well-established
technology offers benefits to businesses that range from increased
comfort for employees and customers to significant dollar savings in
energy and operation and maintenance costs.
Geothermal heat pumps (GHPs) are also known as ground source or water
source heat pumps and GeoExchangeSM systems. They use the relatively
constant temperatures of soil and water beneath the frost
line—typically 45°F to 70°F (7°C to 21°C)—to provide efficient heating
and cooling all year long. The efficiencies achieved by these systems
are impressive and allow commercial users to save up to 50 percent
over conventional heating and cooling systems, plus they reduce
maintenance costs.
The environment also benefits when business owners choose geothermal
heat pumps. The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Geothermal Heat Pump
Program has set a goal of two million units installed by the year
2005. Achieving this objective will save consumers about $400 million
per year in energy bills and reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by
over 1 million metric tons of carbon each year."
GeoExchange: Geothermal Heat Pump Consortium
http://www.ghpc.org/home.htm
INTERNATIONAL GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMP ASSOCIATION (IGSHPA)
490 Cordell South
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK 74078-8018
Toll free telephone: 800-626-4747
Telephone: (405) 744-5175
http://www.igshpa.okstate.edu/Main.htm
IGSHPA Accredited Installers
"The International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA) is an
educational, non-profit organization that promotes geoexchange
technology by providing training programs and conducting research and
development activities. If you encounter trouble with accessing this
list, please contact IGSHPA directly at 1-800-626-4747."
MANUFACTURERS
Ameresco Solutions[PDF]
www.eren.doe.gov/femp/financing/espc/pdfs/duke_regand_ghp.pdf
"Ameresco's Federal Energy Services offers Energy Savings Performance
Contracts (ESPC) to federal agencies and is a prequalified ESPC
contractor under the Department of Defense and the Department of
Energy programs. Ameresco has been awarded DOE and DOD Super ESPC
Regional IDIQ contracts authorizing delivery of ESPC services in all
50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin
Islands. Ameresco is also an awardee under the DOE technology specific
Geothermal Heat Pump IDIQ contract."
[...]
"AmerescoSolutions is a subsidiary of Ameresco Energy Services
(Ameresco) with offices located throughout the US and Canada.
AmerescoSolutions is a member of the National Association of Energy
Services Companies (NAESCO) and the Federal Performance Contracting
Coalition (FPCC)."
Point of Contact
AmerescoSolutions, Inc.
Robert F. Payne
128 South Tryon Street
Federal Energy Services
Charlotte, NC 28202
704 / 916-3505 voice
704 / 916-3500
800 / 866-0646 fax
http://www.ameresco.com
rpayne@ameresco.com
ClimateMaster
http://www.climatemaster.com/ResGeo.htm
International Information
http://www.climatemaster.com/InternatRepLocator.htm
chert@climatemaster.com
Wat is Geothermal Heating and Cooling?
http://www.climatemaster.com/ResGeo.htm
"The Power of Geothermal Heating and Cooling
What’s Buried in Your Yard?
With a geothermal heating and cooling system from ClimateMaster, your
lawn becomes a permanent power plant for your home.
[...]
How Does it Work?
The earth absorbs almost 50% of all solar energy and remains a nearly
constant temperature of 50°F to 70°F depending on geographic location.
Working with an underground loop system, geothermal heating and
cooling systems utilize this constant temperature to exchange energy
between your home and the earth as needed for heating and cooling.
[...]
In the summer, the system reverses and expels heat from your home into
the cooler earth via the loop system. This heat exchange process is
not only natural, but is a natural and highly efficient way to create
a comfortable climate in your home."
RETAIL OUTLETS
Air Cooling System Retail Businesses in the United States
http://energy.sourceguides.com/businesses/byP/hvac/acsystem/byGeo/US/byB/dist/dist.shtml
Marty Electronic
Business type: retail sales, wholesale supplier, exporter, contractor
Product types: photovoltaic modules, backup power systems, battery
components, energy efficient appliances, air cooling systems, Electric
wind generator andvoltage regulators. .
Address: Box 6321 Marina Station, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, USA 00681
Telephone: 787 -265-0149
FAX: 787-265-3920
SEARCH TERMS
geothermal research Puerto Rico
geothermal heat pump Puerto Rico
ground source heat pump Puerto Rico
alternative energy Puerto Rico
Center Energy Environmental Research Puerto Rico
Centro Energia investigacion Puerto Rico
University Puerto Rico
hlabadie-ga |
