The University of Tulsa students earned second place in the Technical Track of the U.S. Department of Energy 2023 Geothermal Collegiate Competition. Advised by Professor of Petroleum Engineering Mustafa Onur, the team designed a system to bring renewable geothermal energy to TU’s Lorton Performance Center.
The renewable energy system uses horizontal piping installed under a nearby athletic field. The center is a musical and performance arts hub at TU that currently accounts for 6% of the university’s heating and cooling costs.
The student team is led by chemical and petroleum engineering senior Kyle White. Other team members include petroleum engineering seniors Shawn Kekilian and Ben-Harvey Banoukouta, as well as geosciences seniors Cailin Stauffer and Paloma Probart.
“It is a great honor to see such talented students excel in their field. This new system will propel us into the future of geothermal technology at The University of Tulsa,” Onur stated.
The Geothermal Collegiate Competition challenges students to develop real-world geothermal solutions each year for cash prizes and hands-on experience. This competition supports workforce development and gives students experience in the geothermal industry while still in school.