Joel PoppertExecutive Vice PresidentRocky Mountain GeoExploration, Inc., &Alpine Geothermal Drilling
Experience and Certifications
• B.Sc. Geology, B.Sc. Physics University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (2004)
• M.Sc. Global Energy Management , University of Colorado-Denver Business School (Current)
• IGSHPA Accredited Installer
• CoGEHPA, President
• Ground Heat Exchanger contractor
WWW.ALPINEGEOTHERMAL.COM
Analyzing Subsurface Geological Conditions: GHP Design and Vertical Borehole Installation
Introduction: Colorado’s Unique Geological History
Introduction: Why is Subsurface Analysis So Important?
Design Considerations
Liability Cost of Installation Change Orders? Schedule
Preparation and Management
Tools that can be used to Analyze the Subsurface Conditions of your Project
Google Earth Google Earth Geological Layers Aerial View
Google Maps Terrain Street View
Water Well Permits Aqua Map Well Construction Reports
Geotechnical Site Specific Soils Report
Google Earth: Geological Map Overlay
Geological Map Overlay Used to identify both the overburden and
the underlying bedrock formations Shows major geological structures such as
fractures, faults, tilted bedrock Can expose bedrock that could contain
voids such as caves or fractures Easy to identify glacial and river terrains
Google Earth: Geological Map Overlay
Google Earth: Geological Map Overlay
Google Earth: Aerial View
Google Earth Aerial View Used to identify if bedrock is presence at or
near the surface Linear striations can indicate tectonic
activity and dipping bedrock Major outcropping visible indicates harder
rock such as sandstone or granites Can define glacial and river boundaries
Google Earth: Aerial View
Google Maps: Terrain View
Google Maps Terrain View Terrain can be used to identify bedrock, alluvial
fans, landslides, river and glacial deposits Steep terrain indicates hard bedrock Terrain inconsistent with surrounding terrain
can indicate landslides, alluvial fans, and/or glacial moraines
Flat terrain in a valley indicates deeper overburden deposits
Flat terrain can also indicate horizontal bedrock such as seen in the western slope as buttes or mesas
Google Maps: Terrain View
Google Maps: Street View Google Maps Street View
If you can’t personally visit the site, street view can be used to help visibly confirm your analysis
Can also be used to identify any site restrictions that may present difficulties for drilling operations
Water Well Permits: Aqua Map
#4620
Used to locate onsite and/or nearby water well permits
Water Well Permits: Well Permit Search
Well Permit Search Look up Permit # in Well Permit Search Click tab Located at Bottom and Open Downloaded Documents
Water Well Permits: Construction Report
Water Well Construction Report Review the drillers log and compare to your
analysis Does it confirm your analysis? Are there any discrepancies? What is the vicinity of the log to your project
location? Depth to Groundwater and Yield (GPM)
Establishes if groundwater may be present Yield defines the volume of water in the formation Beware; large volumes of water can come from 1-3’
fractures which will be sealed up with the grout Sandstone tends to hold larger amounts of water
that could be exposed to the loop pipe over longer depths
Water Well Permits: Construction Report
Download Construction Report Review Driller’s Log Look at Depth to Groundwater and Yield (GPM)
Geotechnical Subsurface Soils Report
Soils Report Each new construction project should have
this report available at your request Gives an indication of near sub surface
conditions (depths 0-45’ in many cases) Indicates overburden thickness and type Can determine bedrock depth and type in
many cases Valuable for estimating excavation costs and
schedule
Understanding Subsurface Conditions: How it Can Impact Your Project?
Design Reduces liability with the design Could reduce costs by limiting over-design Help determine the most cost effective design for the heat exchanger
Costs Complicated geological conditions will increase installation costs Understanding the subsurface can help identify proposals that haven't
taken complicated subsurface conditions into consideration Scheduling
Complicated subsurface conditions can affect your construction schedule
Drilling operations take up space and limit other contractors to execute their work
If it is likely potential problems may arise due to the subsurface, you can mitigate the impact to the schedule by scheduling drilling operations early or during a period that will minimize impacts to other construction activities
Conclusion
Thank You!Questions and Answers
WWW.ALPINGEOTHERMAL.COM
WWW.GOGEONOW.ORG
Relevant Links
Google Earth http://www.google.com/earth/index.html
Google Maps https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&authuser=0
DWR Home Page http://water.state.co.us/Home/Pages/default.aspx
Colorado Geological Survey (CGS) http://geosurvey.state.co.us/Pages/CGSHome.aspx
Alpine Geothermal Drilling www.alpinegeothermal.com