About the class
This IAP class provides a technical introduction to decarbonizing building energy systems via the fundamentals of thermal energy networks. Introductory lectures with required field trips to three Net Zero sites in the Boston area provide first-hand experience with the technologies and systems involved in building decarbonization (transportation is arranged and free).
All field trips take place during class sessions.
Students taking the graduate version of the class complete additional assignments related to certified geothermal design training.
Schedule and registration
This class is available online, in-person, and hybrid and open to members of the MIT community only.
Information on registration here.
Instructor and guest lecturer
The class is taught by D-Lab's Susan Murcott with guest lecturer Rick Clemenzi ’81.
Rick Clemenzi is co-owner of Geothermal Design Center, a licensed geothermal specialty engineering firm, and Asheville Geothermal, a Geothermal Specialty HVAC Contracting firm. They also founded Net Zero Foundation to educate about Decarbonization using Advanced Geothermal Heat Pump systems. They won the 2016 MIT Climate CoLab MIT Campus Decarbonization competition presenting an early GDHC solution specifically targeted to MIT's campus. Rick is a Certified GeoExchange Designer (CGD), and sits on the C-448 ANSI/CSA Bi-National Ground Source Heat Pump Design and Installation Standard's Technical Committee. In addition, Rick has been an IGSHPA trainer. The Geothermal Design Center/Rick holds several Accredited Installer trainings in Asheville for area contractors. Rick has both AI and Certified Geothermal Driller qualifications.