Will AI Replace Geothermal Technicians?

Monitor and adjust operations of geothermal power plant equipment or systems.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Prepare and maintain logs, reports, or other documentation of work performed.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Identify and correct malfunctions of geothermal plant equipment, electrical systems, instrumentation, or controls.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Collect and record data associated with operating geothermal power plants or well fields.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Determine whether emergency or auxiliary systems will be needed to keep properties heated or cooled in extreme weather conditions.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Perform pre- and post-installation pressure, flow, and related tests of vertical and horizontal geothermal loop piping.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Identify equipment options, such as compressors, and make appropriate selections.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Adjust power production systems to meet load and distribution demands.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Maintain electrical switchgear, process controls, transmitters, gauges, and control equipment in accordance with geothermal plant procedures.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Calculate heat loss and heat gain factors for residential properties to determine heating and cooling required by installed geothermal systems.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Maintain, calibrate, or repair plant instrumentation, control, and electronic devices in geothermal plants.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Install and maintain geothermal plant electrical protection equipment.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Design and lay out geothermal heat systems according to property characteristics, heating and cooling requirements, piping and equipment requirements, applicable regulations, or other factors.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Install and maintain geothermal system instrumentation or controls.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Prepare newly installed geothermal heat systems for operation by flushing, purging, or other actions.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Weld piping, such as high density polyethylene (HDPE) piping, using techniques such as butt, socket, side-wall, and electro-fusion welding.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Test water sources for factors, such as flow volume and contaminant presence.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Install, maintain, or repair ground or water source-coupled heat pumps to heat and cool residential or commercial building air or water.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Integrate hot water heater systems with geothermal heat exchange systems.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Determine the type of geothermal loop system most suitable to a specific property and its heating and cooling needs.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Dig trenches for system piping to appropriate depths and lay piping in trenches.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Apply coatings or operate systems to mitigate corrosion of geothermal plant equipment or structures.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Backfill piping trenches to protect pipes from damage.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Operate equipment, such as excavators, backhoes, rock hammers, trench compactors, pavement saws, grout mixers or pumps, geothermal loop reels, and coil tubing units (CTU).

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.