About Us
Our journey has been marked by milestones that reflect our dedication and commitment to the electrical power industry. As you delve into the story of GEOTHERM, you'll meet a team of passionate individuals – experts who breathe life into ideas, turning challenges into opportunities and visions into reality. Our expertise spans diverse domains, from mechanical, electrical engineering to soil testing and thermal analysis and beyond.
Meet the Geotherm Team
Deepak Parmar
In 1978, Mr. Parmar founded Geotherm Inc. (in Ontario, Canada) and subsequently GeothermUSA (in Chandler, AZ in 2001), specializing in underground and submarine power cable-related soil testing.
Mr. Parmar is a member of the IEEE Power Engineering Society, Insulated Conductors Committee and CIGRÉ. He has authored and co-authored several papers on the importance and application of thermal parameters of soils and backfills for underground power cable applications. Mr. Parmar was the working group member for the IEEE Guide for Soil Thermal Resistivity Testing and CIGRÉ working groups WG B1.41 and WG B1.61.
Nimesh Patel
Nimesh started his career here in 2001, and he’s never looked back. A fierce believer in project execution and a master at embracing complex challenges; He has natural business instincts and abilities to build strong relationships with clients to help develop strategies to create innovative solutions.
Nimesh is a member of the IEEE Power Engineering Society and Insulated Conductors Committee and CIGRÉ. He was the chairman for the IEEE Guide for Soil Thermal Resistivity Testing. He has co-authored several papers on the importance and application of thermal parameters of soils and backfills for underground power cable applications.
Our History
Founded Geotherm Inc. in Ontario, Canada
Manufacturing custom built thermal probes and test instrument for the field (in-situ) and laboratory measurement of thermal properties of soils and backfill materials. Prime users - Electrical Utilities such as Ontario Hydro, Hydro Quebec, BC Hydro, Edmonton Power. Research Organizations in Canada and USA (National Research Council Canada, Energy Mines and Resources Canada, National Bureau of Standards USA also purchased equipment for R&D applications.
Conducted the first submarine cable route thermal survey
for the proposed high voltage power cable link between Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Design/development of Fluidized Thermal Backfill – FTBTM. Supported by Ontario Hydro Research Department and CEA (Canadian Electrical Association).
Route thermal survey
for the proposed high voltage submarine power cable link between Canada-USA, Lake Erie.
First overseas underground and submarine power cable route thermal survey ARAMCO – Persian Gulf, Saudi Arabia
Conducted numerous HV and EHV underground and submarine power cable route thermal surveys for futilities in Canada, USA (including Hawaii and Guam), Australia, New Zealand, Middle East, Central and South America.
R&D projects in earth energy storage and utilization
(Ground Coupled Heat Pumps) for NRC (National Research Council Canada) and EMR (Energy Mines and Resources Canada).
Design/development of ‘buffer materials’ for AECL (Atomic Energy Canada Limited) for long-term containment and storage of low-level radioactive fuel waste.
First route thermal survey for Hawaii Electric Company
(HECO) on the Archer 138 kV U/G in Honolulu, Hawaii
Developed a database of thermal properties on soils in Israel
for Israel Electric Corporation (IEC)
Built a database of Geotechnical and Thermal Properties of Canadian Soils
by conducting in-situ and laboratory testing across Canada based on the geological maps – CGS (Canadian Geological Survey).
Prepared a Soil Thermal Properties Manual
for Underground Power Transmission for EPRI (Electric Power Research Institute) USA.
We were a member of a team of experts invited to investigate cables failure in the downtown business district, Auckland, NZ
In the following years, conducted route thermal surveys for transmission and distribution cables in North and South Island, New Zealand.
Opened USA office in Chandler, AZ.
First route thermal survey for Energy Australia
in Sydney, Australia.
First Windfarm Cable failure investigation Project
in Walla Walla, Washington
Conducted the route thermal survey for the Murraylink HVDC
underground link between Berri in South Australia and Red Cliffs in Victoria, connecting the two state electricity grids. It consists of two 180-km (110 miles) long bipolar HVDC cables. The 150 kV circuit with a transmission capacity of 220 megawatts was commissioned in 2002. At the time, it was the world's longest underground transmission system built by TransEnergie Australia (subsidiary of Hydro-Québec).
Brazil: U/G cable projects in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro
Venezuela: U/G and Submarine surveys
Route thermal surveys for the Gulf Cooperation Council Interconnection Grid (GCCIA)
on projects where field testing was conducted in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman.
Bahrain to Saudi Cable Link:
Route thermal surveys of two circuits (six parallel submarine cable routes) from Bahrain to Saudi Arabia via Bahrain Island. The cables route distance between the Bahrain mainland and the Bahraini island is 3.5 km while between the Bahraini island and the Saudi mainland the distance is 39 km.
Performed a route thermal survey and design/developed the backfills
for installation of the first 500 kV underground transmission line in Chino Hills, California, USA
South China Sea Project:
Conducted the route thermal survey for the 700-kilometer submarine cable (nominal 400 kV) linking Bakun in Sarawak State with Tanjung Lemang in southern Johor State bordering Singapore.
Sweden to Poland (SwePol Link) Project:
Conducted route thermal survey for the High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) links between the Nordic countries and the continent. It ties the 400 kV grids in Poland and Sweden together by means of 245 km long cables. Its most unique feature is the absence of sea electrodes, for the first-time cables are used to carry the return current rather than using earth return.
ConEd Heat Pipes
Thermocouple Tree Installation
Data Center Cable Failure Investigation in Minnesota
Geotherm relocates its office
and opens its state-of-the-art testing laboratory in the suburbs of Houston, Texas.