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University of Nevada - Reno Renewable Energy Center Photo of University of Reno renewable energy center.

Nevada ranks second in the nation in the development and use of geothermal resources. The University of Nevada–Reno Renewable Energy Center (UNR REC) is envisioned as a research, education and outreach resource for geothermal and other renewable energy technologies. The UNR REC is being developed under the leadership of the University of Nevada–Reno and coordinated through a diverse public-private partnership. When complete, the UNR REC will provide research, education, and outreach from its location at the UNR Redfield Campus, which is within the Steamboat Springs geothermal resource. The university and its partners are currently working on a strategic and architectural plan for the UNR REC.

Goals of the UNR REC are to

  • Serve as a leader in Nevada for renewable energy science and engineering
  • Establish active partnerships and collaborations, as part of Nevada's network of RECs
  • Foster science and engineering talent within Nevada
  • Provide educational and outreach opportunities
  • Strengthen the Southwest's renewable energy research, and development capabilities
  • Establish and nurture partnerships to promote competitive renewable energy deployment by the private sector
  • Assist U.S. (and particularly Southwest) industry in improving its position as a leader in renewable energy technologies
  • Better understand Nevada's renewable resources and optimize renewable energy project installations
  • Foster renewable technologies suited for rural communities of the Southwest
  • Assist Nevada in meeting its renewable portfolio standard
  • Enhance the quality of life for the citizens of Nevada through reduced fossil fuel driven pollution
  • Strengthen the Nevada and Southwest economies by increasing high tech job opportunities

Technical Expertise

UNR has a long history of high level technical expertise in geothermal energy. The UNR REC will build on that foundation. UNR facilities oversee and monitor peer reviewed research projects and conduct public outreach activities to stimulate public awareness of geothermal energy and the advantage of its use.

The UNR REC's research areas include:

  • Geothermal energy resource assessment, development, and use
  • Mineral recovery from geothermal brine
  • Thermal power cycle development and use
  • Heat exchanger development
  • Waste materials energy resource use
  • Geothermal and renewable energy workforce development
  • Geothermal space heating
  • Community and industry outreach

Geothermal Technology

The UNR REC is being developed under the umbrella of the Great Basin Center for Geothermal Energy located at the University of Nevada–Reno. The Great Basin Center has as its focus the identification and characterization of new high temperature geothermal systems in the Great Basin, for the purpose of electrical power generation. This focus, together with the reservoir characterization and power plant design aspects of the REC will provide the world's first integrated geothermal power research and education institution.

Visit our Geothermal Projects page to learn more about NSWEP activities in this area.

For more information contact:

Kwang J. Kim, PhD

  • University of Nevada, Reno, Associate Professor and Interim Chair, Mechanical Engineering Department
  • Assistant Director, Downstream Applications, Great Basin Center for Geothermal Energy
  • Director, Advanced Energy Laboratory

Voice: 775-784-7522 or 6931
E-mail: kwankgim@unr.edu