Ground source heat pumps “compete” at Olympics

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Oklahoma State University, Tulsa firm help showcase energy-saving technology on world stage at Summer Games in China

(August 7, 2008   Stillwater, OK) - With the help of the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA) at Oklahoma State University and Tulsa-based firm Geo-Enterprises, geothermal/ground source heat pumps are among green technologies that will be showcased this summer on the biggest international stage, the 2008 Olympic Games in China.
 
Enormous ground source heat pump systems have been installed for the Beijing National Stadium, also known as the “Bird’s Nest,” and the Olympic Village.  It is estimated the system at the Olympic Village can support heating and cooling for 4 million square feet of space.
 
Phil Schoen, president of Geo-Enterprises and chairman of IGSHPA’s advisory board, oversaw training by China’s IGSHPA chapter for the installation.  The China chapter is the result of a relationship between OSU’s Dr. Jim Bose, executive director of IGSHPA, and Xu Yu – entrepreneur, Chinese national and one-time visiting professor at the University of Missouri.  
 
ABOUT IGSHPA -- Established in 1987, the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association is the foremost non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the geothermal/ground source heat industry.  It is part of OSU’s College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology outreach programs and boasts members in industrialized nations around the globe and in every state.  OSU researchers have collaborated on virtually every major innovation in geothermal/ground source heat pump technology in the U.S. in recent history.  
 
ABOUT GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMPS -- Geothermal/ground source heat pumps use the Earth’s constant temperature to heat and cool as well as provide hot water for commercial complexes and homes. Use of ground source heat pumps can reduce household energy consumption 30 percent and fuel costs 50 percent.