UND honored at annual summit for work with geothermal technology

Every year, the Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) honors a number of organizations who strive to further knowledge in geothermal technology, as well as economic and environmental advances, at the Baseload Renewable Energy Summit.

This year UND’s own Will Gosnold, a Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor of Geology and Geological Engineering, accepted an award for “launching the first commercial project for co-producing geothermal power from oil and gas wells.”

Gosnold picked up the award on behalf of UND this week in Nevada.

Gosnold remarked that UND was “greatly honored by (the) award,” and made a point to express that while he was accepting the award, he was not alone:

“Our geothermal team of five University of North Dakota faculty and 24 students have worked on various phases of the project since 2009, and our industry partners: Continental Resources, Basin Electric Cooperative, Olson Construction, and Access Energy; and our government partners: The Geothermal Technologies Office of the U.S. Department of Energy, The North Dakota Geological Survey, and the North Dakota Industrial Commission all played key roles in achieving the final goal of generating electrical power by utilizing existing oil –field infrastructure,” Gosnold wrote.

Gosnold also expressed gratitude to the GEA:

“I am delighted that the business arm of the geothermal community, the Geothermal Energy Association, has recognized our efforts, and I sincerely hope that news of our project will result in growth in the industry,” Gosnold wrote.