Will “Geothermal Technicians” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔
Unknown Chance of Automation
Sadly, the research paper did not provide any information about this occupation. Maybe have a look at our directory?
Job Description
Perform technical activities at power plants or individual installations necessary for the generation of power from geothermal energy sources. Monitor and control operating activities at geothermal power generation facilities and perform maintenance and repairs as necessary. Install, test, and maintain residential and commercial geothermal heat pumps.
Job Details
- The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 49-9099.01
Also Known As…
- Operator Technician
- Operations Technician
- Mechanical Technician
- Maintenance Technician
- Maintenance Mechanic
- Instrumentation, Control, and Electrical Technician (I C & E Technician)
- Instrumentation and Electrical Technician (I & E Technician)
- Instrument and Controls Technician (I & C Technician)
- Control Room Operator (CRO)
- Control Operator
- Pump Technician
- PPO (Power Plant Operator)
- Plant Technician
- Plant Operator
- Plant Mechanic
- Plant Control Operator
- Operator
- Operations and Maintenance Technician
- Mechanic
- Ground Source Heat Pump Technician (GSHP Technician)
- Geothermal Technician
- Geothermal System Installer
- Geothermal Installer
- Geothermal HVAC Technician (Geothermal Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning Technician)
- Geothermal Field Technician
- Distribution Field Technician
- Corrosion Technician
Tasks for “Geothermal Technicians”
- Determine the type of geothermal loop system most suitable to a specific property and its heating and cooling needs.
- Calculate heat loss and heat gain factors for residential properties to determine heating and cooling required by installed geothermal systems.
- Design and lay out geothermal heat systems according to property characteristics, heating and cooling requirements, piping and equipment requirements, applicable regulations, or other factors.
- Collect and record data associated with operating geothermal power plants or well fields.
- Install and maintain geothermal system instrumentation or controls.
- Determine whether emergency or auxiliary systems will be needed to keep properties heated or cooled in extreme weather conditions.
- Backfill piping trenches to protect pipes from damage.
- Prepare newly installed geothermal heat systems for operation by flushing, purging, or other actions.
- Identify and correct malfunctions of geothermal plant equipment, electrical systems, instrumentation, or controls.
- Identify equipment options, such as compressors, and make appropriate selections.
- Monitor and adjust operations of geothermal power plant equipment or systems.
- Test water sources for factors such as flow volume and contaminant presence.
- Install, maintain, or repair ground or water source-coupled heat pumps to heat and cool residential or commercial building air or water.
- Apply coatings or operate systems to mitigate corrosion of geothermal plant equipment or structures.
- Adjust power production systems to meet load and distribution demands.
- Maintain, calibrate, or repair plant instrumentation, control, and electronic devices in geothermal plants.
- Perform pre- and post-installation pressure, flow, and related tests of vertical and horizontal geothermal loop piping.
- Install and maintain geothermal plant electrical protection equipment.
- Dig trenches for system piping to appropriate depths and lay piping in trenches.
- Integrate hot water heater systems with geothermal heat exchange systems.
- Prepare and maintain logs, reports, or other documentation of work performed.
- Operate equipment such as excavators, backhoes, rock hammers, trench compactors, pavement saws, grout mixers or pumps, geothermal loop reels, and coil tubing units (CTU).
- Weld piping, such as high density polyethylene (HDPE) piping, using techniques such as butt, socket, side-wall, and electro-fusion welding.
- Maintain electrical switchgear, process controls, transmitters, gauges, and control equipment in accordance with geothermal plant procedures.
Related Technology & Tools
- Socket wrench sets
- Adjustable pipe wrenches
- Straight screwdrivers
- Alignment clamps
- Wire cutters
- Deburring tools
- Air monitoring equipment
- Coil tubing units
- Pyrometers
- Programmable logic controllers PLC
- Trench compacters
- Valve wrenches
- Safety gloves
- Personal computers
- Butt fusion machines
- Desktop computers
- Depth meters
- Pipe squeeze off tools
- Well drilling rigs
- Air wrenches
- Portable welding equipment
- Pipe cutters
- Protective respirators
- Grout mixers
- Adjustable hand wrenches
- Tracked excavators
- Grout pumps
- Channel lock pliers
- Phillips head screwdrivers
- Laptop computers
- Ratchet sets
- Claw hammers
- Wire strippers
- Safety glasses
- Pavement saws
- Thermal Dynamics Ground Loop Design GLD
- Geothermal Properties Measurement Tool
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Microsoft Office
- Distributed control system DCS
- Microsoft Word
- SAP
- Email software
- Microsoft Excel
- WaterFurnace International Ground Loop Design PREMIER
- ClimateMaster GeoDesigner