GEO--A New Advocate for the U.S. Geothermal Heat Pump Industry

Abstract

This paper describes the Geothermal Exchange Organization (GEO), its functions and goals as the lead trade association in the United States for the geothermal heat pump (GHP) industry. GEO is a new advocacy organization, springing from the former Geothermal Heat Pump Consortium (GHPC). Its membership is growing fast, and includes industry leaders such as ClimateMaster, WaterFurnace, Enertech, Carrier, Trane, Emerson, and Geo- Enterprises, as well as utilities such as Gulf Power (Southern Co.). With rapid growth of GHP installations in the United States over the past decade to ~100,000 units per year, major GHP equipment manufacturers, distributors and utilities saw the need to revive the former GHPC, and refocus its activities from demand-side, utility marketing programs to GHP industry advocacy, public relations and promotion. This paper provides brief overviews of GEO history, organization and objectives, and it outlines GEO’s advocacy and outreach strategies and its view on market barriers. The paper describes the association’s advocacy priorities regarding issues of importance to the GHP industry, and its primary outreach messages. GEO’s government affairs and outreach strategies are important to knocking down barriers to growth of the geothermal heat pump industry, including consumer confidence and awareness. As explained below, GEO works in four primary areas to educate elected officials, government agencies and the public about the benefits of geothermal heat pumps, including Advocacy, Partnerships, Outreach and promotion of Industry Standards. This paper also describes GEO’s contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to develop national certification standards for the industry, and an outreach MOU with the GRC. Finally the paper provides information about GEO membership.