The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy has announced its 2013 National Geothermal Student Competition.  The competition is designed to advance the understanding of geothermal energy as a valued resource by promoting innovation, exploration, and entrepreneurship among the nation’s colleges and universities. It also seeks to engage students in a collaborative exercise to develop a business plan for developing a geothermal enterprise.  Student teams will create a business white paper on geothermal energy production and commercialization within their state or region.  Each semi-finalist team will receive a total award of $5,500, where $5,000 is expected to be used as planning funds (stipend) and $500 is to be used to startup a geothermal club on your campus.  The application due date is Friday, March 29, 2013.

Detailed information about the competition can be found at: http://orise.orau.gov/science-education/capabilities/science-education-events/eere-geothermal-student-competition.aspx.  For any questions, please contact Desmond Stubbs, desmond.stubbs@orau.org.