In the Fall 2020 DOE Geothermal Design Challenge (now renamed the Geothermal Collegiate Competition) students used infographics and data visualization to foster understanding of geothermal energy and communicate the benefits of geothermal technologies.
Geothermal Technologies Office
January 8, 2021
minute read time
In the Fall 2020 U.S. Department of Energy Geothermal Design Challenge (now renamed the Geothermal Collegiate Competition) students from across the United States used infographics and data visualization to foster understanding of geothermal energy and broadly communicate the benefits of geothermal technologies. Multidisciplinary teams of undergraduate and graduate students created powerful, high-quality infographics to illustrate aspects of geothermal energy production, backed by technical data and accompanied by communications and outreach strategies to maximize impact.
By engaging students not traditionally involved with geothermal energy research, the Department of Energy helps raise awareness of geothermal resources, broaden the geothermal stakeholder base, and prepare U.S. students for the renewable energy workforce.
Congratulations to the winners!
Submission: “Geothermal Applications for the World”
The University of North Dakota team’s winning print infographic highlights the benefits of eight common uses of geothermal energy: agricultural drying, cooking, greenhouse heating, aquaculture, electricity generation, space heating, snow melting, and bathing and swimming. The infographic offers global context, breaking down each use as a percentage of the total geothermal market. A world map further illustrates the use of geothermal resources around the world.
Submission: “Green & Unseen: The Future of Geothermal Power”
The Geo Slugs’ digital infographic highlights new developments in geothermal energy, focusing on the components of large and small-scale systems and how each system benefits people, businesses, and the planet through renewable electricity, district heating, and more.
Submission: “The Heat Beneath Our Feet”
The Antelope Valley College team infographic describes how geothermal heat pumps are a cost-effective solution for residential heating and cooling.
The Geothermal Design Challenge (now the Geothermal Collegiate Competition) is administered for the U.S. Department of Energy Geothermal Technologies Office by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.