WorldWide Drilling Resource®

40 AUGUST 2020 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® Geothermal Design Challenge Winners Adapted from Information by the U.S. Department of Energy The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Geothermal Technologies Office and the Idaho National Laboratory announced the winners of the 3rd Annual Geothermal Design Challenge™ Student Competition. Student teams of two or three were tasked with creating an infographic/poster or interactive map using geographic infor- mation system mapping, better known as GIS mapping. Applying their knowledge of data science, engineering, design, energy, and environmental sciences, students from high schools, universities, and colleges across the country were asked to analyze data from the Geothermal Data Repository (GDR) and design a compelling map highlighting the untapped potential of geo- thermal energy. The GDR is an energy information portal sponsored by the DOE in support of the Open Government Initiative to make energy data transparent and collaborative. After considerable deliberation, the winners are: Digital Grand Prize Winner of $5000 - Team UW Cart Lab from the University of Wisconsin-Madison UW Cart Lab’s project provides an engaging introduction to geo- thermal energy. Designed for a public audience without prior knowl- edge of geothermal, their piece presents a visual representation of current opportunities, as well as the challenges associated with the expansion of geothermal energy development. Print Grand Prize Winner of $5000 - Team Flying Squirrel from Northern Virginia Community College Team Flying Squirrel created a poster summarizing the results of a Geothermal Locality Index model pinpointing accessible geo- thermal resources near large numbers of people who need heat and energy. Using a GIS overlay fuzzy model, the team was able to rank U.S. counties based on (1) presence of at least 176ºF (80˚C) tem- peratures, (2) within the ideal 9842-foot depth, (3) near residents who have high heat and energy demands, (4) in densely populated areas. Using their model, they were able to locate ideal locations for public education on low-temperature enhanced geothermal resources. Finalists included Team Americans in Iceland with Reykjavik University; Team Geo-Alaska-Potential at the University of Alaska; Team GRIZ from the University of Montana; and Team The Sisters with Stanford University. GEO