Scientists from all over the world are visiting the University of Nevada this summer to take part in the National Geothermal Academy.
It's a set of intensive summer classes on everything from locating geothermal activity to turning it into a successful business. The University of Nevada is the only place in the country that offers it, and organizers said Nevada is the perfect setting for it.
"It builds on our expertise in geothermal, and our history in geothermal," Great Basin Center for Geothermal Energy Director Wendy Calvin said, "and certainly the proximity to a lot of geothermal resources."
This is the second year the university has put on the academy, becoming only one of a handful of schools in the whole world to host something like it. Roughly 45 students are participating this year from all over the world, attending classes taught by the most experienced professionals in the field.
Geothermal technology takes heat from underground, geological activity and converts it to electricity. Organizers said programs like this are especially important right now, with fuel prices soaring and many industries looking for alternative energy sources.
"I think we're building the new base of who the geothermal workers are going to be in the future," Calvin said, "so the local companies are very supportive of what we're doing, and look at this as very beneficial in terms of who they're going to hire and the expertise that they're gaining."
The National Geothermal Academy started Monday and runs for eight weeks, through August 10.
Written by Arianna Bennett
