Training and certification attached to the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA) will continue at Oklahoma State University, even as the organization undergoes some changes.

IGSHPA, which has trained 21,760 individuals since it was established at OSU in 1987, is in discussion with other trade associations to take over the membership portion of IGSHPA, which includes roughly 1,480 members worldwide.

Ed Kirtley, assistant dean of OSU’s College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology, said the move of membership services to a larger trade association was to enhance support of the industry.

IGSHPA — an outreach unit in OSU’s College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology — is a membership-based non-profit organization focused on promoting geothermal technology.

“Our primary goal is to protect the future of the industry by providing necessary training services and preparing a plan for the continuation of other member services,” Kirtley says.

The group stresses that IGSHPA is not shutting down and that certifications continue to be available through OSU.

“OSU will continue to support the development of the ground source heat pump industry in the United States and worldwide through research and training,” Kirtley adds. “The College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology is proud of our history with IGSHPA and the ground source heat pump industry. As we go through this transition period, IGSHPA is committed to a sustainable future serving its members and the industry.”