CGC Honours Dr Hooper, Geothermal Pioneer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 4, 2011

Toronto – Canadian GeoExchange Coalition, Canada’s Association for Geothermal Heating and Cooling, hosts an event to celebrate the pioneering renewable heating and cooling research of Dr Frank Hooper, Professor Emeritus, University of Toronto Faculty of Mechanical Engineering.

CGC’s Board of Directors, including Stan Marco (Co-Founder and CEO of GeoSmart Energy), representing some 300 companies active internationally in the geothermal heating and cooling industry, have voted their thanks to Dr Hooper for his pioneering research on geothermal heat pump technology, beginning in 1949-1951.
A ceremony will be held in his honour at The Faculty Club, Main Lounge, University of Toronto, Wednesday, May 4, 2011 from 11am onwards. Those in attendance will include all stakeholders interested in meeting a key figure in advancing Canada’s energy efficiency, renewable energy and green buildings technologies.

(Excerpt from CGC Media Advisory)

CGC Recognizes Professor Frank Clements Hooper

Celebrating 60 years of Canadian pioneering work on ground source heat pump systems

Toronto, May 4th, 2011 – The Canadian GeoExchange Coalition (CGC), Canada’s national association for ground source heat pump (GSHP) technology, today recognised the pioneering research on ground source heat pump heating and cooling technology conducted more than 60 years ago by Frank Clements Hooper, B.A.Sc., D.I.C, F.E.I.C., F.C.S.M.E., F.C.A.E., P.Eng., and Professor Emeritus of Mechanical Engineering, University of Toronto. An award was presented to Professor Hooper at the Faculty Club of the University of Toronto where the association also unveiled Canada’s first national bursary program for post-graduate studies related to geothermal heating and cooling.

In an article published in the Canadian Journal of Technology in 1952 and titled “An Experimental Residential Heat Pump,” Professor Hooper definitively established, with indisputable evidence and strong technical argumentation, that “ground coils in suitable soils offer a satisfactory heat source in Ontario.” The article presented results of research conducted from 1949 to 1951 at the University of Toronto. Today, thanks in part to the initial work of Professor Hooper, thousands of GSHP systems are installed in Canada every year.

Professor Hooper’s pioneering work clearly established not only the feasibility of GSHP applications in Canada but covered important key concepts such as system design, system performance, soil conductivity and diffusivity, seasonal coefficient of performance and more. “When I read this paper, sixty years after its first publication, I was stunned by the clarity of the argumentation and the extent of the research and results” said Denis Tanguay, CGC’s President & CEO. “Anyone interested in defining the paternity of GSHP systems in North America should know this article” he added. CGC is seeking to re-publish the original article in its industry magazine, GeoConneXion, later this year.

The pioneering work of Professor Hooper paved the way for the establishment of a flourishing GSHP industry in Canada. Today, there are more than 80,000 GSHP systems installed across the country, most of them since 2005. CGC has encountered renewed interest in geothermal research at Canadian universities, government labs as well as in the private sector. In addition, industry intelligence suggests the imminent commercialization of many new products developed and manufactured in Canada. “This industry is on the path for a bright future and sustainable growth,” added Tanguay.

To help grow the industry, the CGC established an education network unique in North America. The CGC Education and Training Network comprises more than 16 colleges and universities across Canada and shows the openness and inclusivity of the CGC-led market transformation initiative. Together, network member colleges offer standardized training recognized by their Ministry of Education, and also through the CGC Global Quality GeoExchange Program®.

The Canadian GeoExchange™ Coalition acts as the industry catalyst to unite private and public sector stakeholders, and to expand the market for ground source heat pumps and geoexchange™ technology in Canada. As the nexus of information, training, certification, standards and public awareness, our mandate is to work with stakeholders to build the necessary infrastructure to foster the growth of the Canadian geoexchange™ industry. For more information, visit www.geoexchange.ca

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GeoSmart Energy
GeoSmart Energy is a leading geothermal heating and cooling supplier to residential and commercial markets. As one of the largest purveyors of geothermal technology and training, GeoSmart is continually asked globally for their knowledge and geothermal implementation expertise. Visit us at www.geosmartenergy.com

Photos: high resolution photographs of the event are available upon request. 

 

Media Contacts:

Robert J. Longphee, Director, Communications & Public Relations
GeoSmart Energy
290 Pinebush Road, Cambridge, ON  N1T 1Z6
t: 866.310.6690
f: 866.533.3889
rlongphee@geosmartenergy.com