Who we are:
We are a coalition of industry stakeholders, including leading manufacturers, contractors, trade groups, and advocacy organizations with either national or regional focus in the Northeast. The GMCC proposes to establish a nationwide network of Geothermal Drilling Centers of Excellence (Geo-CoEs) that will help the industry meet the market demand for ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) to achieve the myriad health, social, economic, and energy benefits of thermal networks. At the core of the GMCC’s mission is a commitment to facilitating an equitable transition away from fossil fuels.
Mission Statement:
Our mission is to support, improve, and accelerate the GSHP industry, workforce growth, and excellence through information, innovation, and infrastructure. We aim to position the U.S. to lead the world in equitable access to efficient and local sustainable low-temperature geothermal and other thermal energy sources.
The vision of the Geothermal Market Capacity Coalition is to unite a dynamic network of trade organizations, manufacturers, geothermal drillers, heat pump installers, advocates, educators and nonprofits advancing the GSHP industry. Applications may include thermal energy networks and other energy sources/technologies and specifically involve geothermal drilling and installation.
As technological innovation, business models, and public policies propel demand for GSHPs, supply chain pressures are emerging alongside significant opportunities. In response, our broad coalition intends to rapidly grow the industry to meet marketplace demand, while fostering an equitable, inclusive environment.
We propose to create regional Geothermal Centers of Excellence in multiple locations across the country. The CoEs will bolster, refine, and expedite local scaling of the GSHP sector through three core pillars: training the workforce required to meet projected demand; increasing market capacity and deployment to support rapid growth; and nurturing innovation and knowledge-sharing to meet new realities in the market.
Geothermal Drilling Centers of Excellence:
Geothermal energy networks and GSHPs have emerged as integral components in the shift toward sustainable energy in the United States (MIT review, DOE report).
Although these technologies are widely used in many parts of the world, critical labor and supply chain shortages are interfering with their deployment in the U.S. The industry needs to quickly adapt in order to meet the unprecedented scale and speed of deployment that are expected – and needed – for these technologies.
The specific objectives of the Geo-CoEs are to (1) provide geothermal drillers and other workers with comprehensive training and development programs, including wraparound supports, transition training, and startup capital as needed, to professionalize the green workforce; (2) develop innovative drill rig leasing programs and other financing tools to overcome barriers to growth; (3) catalyze domestic manufacturing capacity and sustainable innovation of geothermal equipment, including drilling technologies; and (4) seek additional opportunities to drive sustainable growth and innovation across the industry.
This would include attracting capital investments, building a knowledge base, developing cross-industry alignment, easing additional bottlenecks to GSHP deployment throughout the supply chain, and realizing industry-wide market potential.
The launch of the Geo-CoE for the Northeast will serve as a model for future centers planned throughout the country. Importantly, the Geo-CoE will consolidate relationships between large players in the space, including companies installing GSHPs and utilities deploying geothermal networks. By engaging with local communities, organizations, legislators and regulators in each CoE region, the GMCC will ensure that responsible and beneficial employment and community engagement practices are put into place, aligning with the specific needs of each region.
Coalition Membership:
The coalition includes a broad range of industry stakeholders, including leading manufacturers, contractors, trade groups, and advocacy organizations with either national or regional focus in the Northeast. Our range of collaborators reflects the critical need for increased focus on workforce, equipment and production of thermal exchangers for ground source heat pumps (which consist of boreholes, grout, pipes, and couplers) to achieve market growth.
Geothermal Drillers Association – With a deep commitment to enhancing safety standards, fostering educational advancement, and advocating for professional development within the geothermal sector, GDA has emerged as a critical advocate for excellence in geothermal drilling practices. The association significantly emphasizes safe equipment usage, workforce training, professional licensure, collaborative teaming arrangements, stringent quality control measures, and establishing industry-wide standards.
Geothermal Exchange Organization – A nonprofit trade association that promotes the manufacture, design and installation of GeoExchange systems. Their mission is to support members’ business objectives while promoting maximum, sustainable growth of the GSHP industry through advocacy, partnerships, public outreach, and promotion of quality standards.
HEET – A nonprofit thermal energy institute that innovated the gas-to geothermal network transition and is conducting a research study of the first utility-scale geothermal network installations. HEET will collect data from the CoE to help inform market analysis, and will use their stakeholder engagement approach to support the CoE’s efforts to recruit and train diverse geothermal drillers and GSHP installers, interface with utility-led projects, and help partners develop curricula that address market demand. HEET piloted a geothermal driller training program that will be a model for the CoE’s Driller Training program.
International Ground Source Heat Pump Association – A 501(C)(6) nonprofit promoting GSHP technology on local, state, national and international levels. With access to the most current advancements in the geothermal heat pump industry via its diverse membership base and its industry alliances, IGSHPA is the ideal bridge between the latest technology and those who will benefit from these developments. IGSHPA is well-placed to support the CoE’s goals.
To view our other GMCC Members, click here
Membership by Sector:
The GMCC Membership spans diverse industries including workforce development, equipment and supply chain partners, drilling companies, heat pump manufacturers, heat pump installers/purchasers, education, research partners, and advocacy groups.
Geothermal Market Capacity Coalition White Paper:
Read the Geothermal Market Capacity Coalition’s white paper on establishing a regional CoE and the GMCC Powerpoint.