In this Lunch and Learn webinar, Jonathan Hernandez and Lauren Hildebrand from Brightcore Energy discuss geothermal heating and cooling. From installation questions to challenges and solutions, they’ll cover what you need to know. Audience Q&A included.
Presenters:
Jonathan Hernandez, Director of Business Development, Geothermal, Brightcore Energy
Jonathan Hernandez has worked in geothermal energy development since 2010 after graduating from
UCLA in Engineering and Geology. At Brightcore, he serves as a geoscientific and development
expert for geothermal projects by leveraging his extensive field and consulting experience. He
began his career in geothermal power projects, working throughout North America, Central and
South America, Southeast Asia, East Africa, and the Caribbean. Jonathan has supervised field
exploration surveys and geothermal drilling projects, as well as presented lectures and publish papers in English and Spanish.
Lauren Hildebrand, Senior Vice President, Sustainability & Strategic Partnerships, Brightcore Energy
Learning Objectives
- Explain the basics of geothermal heat exchange including thermodynamics, basics of borehole drilling, geologic considerations, and different bore field designs based on building needs and surface equipment.
- Describe key design considerations for commercial/industrial scale geothermal system including envelope efficiency of the building, surface equipment (HVAC), seasonal changes, new builds vs. retrofits, administrative concerns (permitting), and incentives to better understand CAPEX/OPEX possibilities.
- Identify differences in drilling technologies and where each is best applied.
- Describe the various generations of geothermal systems (1G – 5G) and proven innovations, specifically Borehole Thermal Energy Storage (BTES) and how to use the subsurface thermal mass as a renewable sink/source, based on ambient conditions and building needs.
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