The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded the University of Nevada, Reno just over $1.2 million to develop and operate the National Geothermal Institute.

The National Geothermal Institute is a consortium of top geothermal schools, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cornell University, Stanford University, the Oregon Institute of Technology, the University of Utah and possibly others as the program expands.

“The University is a natural location for this new national institute since so much of the current U.S. geothermal production is centered in Nevada, and since the University is becoming a leader in discovering new technologies for exploration, production and development of geothermal resources,” said Gina Tempel, associate dean of the College of Science at the University of Nevada, Reno.

The new institute’s goal will be to attract students, professors and industry professionals from around the United States to be educated on everything related to geothermal energy production with a series of short courses and other curriculum.