Read more at http://cleantechnica.com/2011/04/08/home-with-insulated-panels-and-geothermal-will-use-half-the-electricity-no-gas/#PE5CvVxzFQ1z5hov.99

The GAOI and AIEC have combined incentives totalling $1,300 towards this round of BPI training. An earlier round of training was held this summer. For more information on the BPI training, contact GAOI Executive Director John Freitag at jfreitag@aiec.coop.

By Matt Daniels

The first day of classes at Rantoul Township High School were Aug. 21.

Making sure the building was prepared and ready with a long list of summer projects completed by then was a sticking point for RTHS Superintendent Scott Amerio. The largest project involved the new geothermal heating and cooling system.

The new system will ensure that the east wing of the building, where a large majority of classes are held, has air conditioning and heating.

“It’s kind of right down to the wire,” Amerio told the RTHS board at its Aug. 13 meeting, “and there may be a few odds and ends they tweak, but for the most part, everything’s going to be done.”

Amerio said the contractors assured him the geothermal project would be complete by the time school started. On Thursday, Amerio said all the units in the classrooms are working, and were installed Aug. 15. The only part of the project left to be completed is some of the control units are being programmed and training has not taken place on that. Amerio said he anticipates training to take place this week.

“The hallways are cool,” Amerio said. “The positive impact this has for the students and staff is, to me, almost immeasurable. It is nice to walk into a classroom and have it be cool. I walked up there (Thursday), and I didn’t see kids sweating. They can just relax and concentrate on what they’re supposed to be doing.”

Each classroom has a thermostat unit, but the controls for the geothermal system are on a web-based program. Amerio said he and Tony Worthington, the district’s new director of maintenance and transportation, can control the system.

“We got Tony a laptop so let’s say if there’s an issue with a unit in one of the classrooms, he can take his laptop up there, get on the web and access the controls to see what the controls are saying,” Amerio said.

Amerio informed the board all the geothermal units on the third floor were on and working well.

“I went up there when they were testing some of them, and they do a really good job of cooling everything down,” he said. “They’re really, really quiet, too. I walked by one machine and had to put my ear up next to it to make sure it was on.”

Congratulations to Ameren and Act on Energy leaders for their efforts to promote the most efficient heating/cooling technology available today!  

Four planning committees are working on the training tracks for next year’s conference. If you’re interested in helping organize next year’s conference training lineup, please let us know. You won’t have to attend any in-person meetings … the committee will meet by phone conference and the internet.

Contractor/installer training track: Co-chairmen are Chris Smith, Enertech, and Jeff Hurst, Connor Co./ClimateMaster.

Engineer/architect training track: Co-chairmen are Matt Slager, Hanson Professional Services, and Dave Buss, Water Furnace.

Driller/loop installer training track: Co-chairmen are Dan Crowe, The Hole Deal, and Ryan Kerry, Great Lakes Geothermal

Electric utility training track: Co-chairmen are Gary Hurley, Springfield City Water Light and Power, and Bob Dickey, Eastern Illini Electric Cooperative.

If you are interested in being a part of the conference planning, contact any of these board members and committee chairs directly … or contact GAOI Executive Director John Freitag at jfreitag@aiec.coop, or call 217-971-3533.

Save the date today!

3rd annual Illinois Geothermal Conference

Gateway Center, Collinsville, IL

March 11-13, 2013

• Geothermal experts from across the country will lead two days of seminars/training for geo dealers/contractors, engineer/architects, loop installers and utility representatives

• Excellent networking opportunities

• Newest geothermal technology techniques

• GAOI accreditation exam on-site

• To become a Member visit the GAOI website and click “Become a Member.”

 *** NEW Pre-Conference Training – Click Here for additional information *** 

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 Sponsor, Booth, Speaker & Attendee registration is available now, click here.
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Attention Illinois Residents: you may be eligible to receive a $125.00 conference rebate for attendee registration.  Please click here to access a scholarship application for the Geothermal Conference. 
Apply today, grant funds are limited.

For the 2013 GAOI Draft Schedule click here.

Location: Gateway Center, 1 Gateway Drive, Collinsville, IL

Hotel Accommodations – the block is under “geothermal” the room rate is $85 per night:

     Doubletree by Hilton
     1000 Eastport Plaza Drive
     Collinsville, IL 62234
     Phone: 618-345-2800 

For more information, please contact John Freitag at jfreitag@aiec.coop (217-241-7973) or (217-971-3533).

John Freitag, GAOI Executive Director, and Gary Hurley, Board Member from Springfield CWLP, helped prepare the GAOI exhibits at the fairgrounds.

Look for the Geothermal Alliance of Illinois at this year’s Illinois State Fair.

The GAOI will be part of the Illinois Energy Expo in combination with the Energy Education Council and a number of other Land of Lincoln energy-related organizations. There is a GAOI-sponsored geothermal unit providing some cooling in the EEC tent. GAOI leaders are working the exhibit during the fair and we’ll have educational information on hand promoting geothermal heating and cooling — the most efficient way to operate!

 Stop by and see GAOI at this year’s fair. We’ll be at the Illinois Energy Expo on the lawn of the Emerson Building at the fairgrounds. It’s at the southeast corner of Main Street and Central Avenue — just to the right of the stop sign (the first one inside the Main Gate, for those entering the fairgrounds onto Main Street.

GAOI leaders were on hand for the opening of the IL State Fair on Friday morning, August 10. Acting DCEO Director David Vaught cut the ribbon opening the Illinois Energy Expo. From left are GAOI’s Chad Mayes, Director John Freitag, DCEO’s Vaught, GAOI’s Jeff Hurst, DCEO Energy Office Director Agnes Mrozowski, GAOI’s Chris Smith and Dan Crowe, DCEO Asst. Energy Manager Aly Grady, GAOI’s Gary Hurley and DCEO Recycling Division’s David Ross.

Power Points from the Conference
Photos from the Conference

1 Gateway Drive

Map and Directions | Register

Description:

Important things for Exhibitors to know:

• Conference Gold Sponsors receive a 25% discount on booth registration.  Not a Gold Sponsor? Click Here.  Gold sponsors recieve a confirmation email with a promo code — type in that code below to receive the discount.
• GAOI members also receive a discount on booths.  If your company isn’t a GAOI member, it should be.  To become a member, Click Here.
• All individuals attending the conference, including all exhibitors and speakers, must be registered for the conference.  Every exhibitor qualifies for one complimentary registration.  You will receive a confirmation email with a promo code for your complimentary attendee registration. 
• This registration is for exhibit/booth space only — remember all attendees must be registered through the attendee registration page.
• All exhibitors will be contacted by email from Excel Decorators, the company GAOI has contracted with for exhibition hall services.  Or click here for more information regarding Excel Decorators. 

Register

Complete conference registration, sponsorship and exhibition information will be available electronically on December 1. Until then, for more information contact GAOI Executive Director John Freitag at jfreitag@aiec.coop, or 217-241-7973 (office) or 217-971-3533 (mobile).