As part of the Obama Administration's all-of-the-above approach to American energy, the Energy Department recently congratulated Ball State University for its campus-wide ground-source geothermal system, the nation's largest geothermal heating and cooling system.
Building on significant investment from the State of Indiana and the University, the Energy Department provided key support for the project with a $5 million grant through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The Ball State system—which the university anticipates will save $2 million annually in operating costs and cut its carbon footprint by nearly 50%—is one Energy Department investment helping to reduce energy costs, diversify the nation's energy portfolio, and create clean energy jobs across the country.
Launched in 2009, Ball State's geothermal system will replace four aging coal-fired boilers to provide renewable power that will heat and cool 47 university buildings, representing 5.5-million-sf on the 660-acre campus.
To provide heating, the geothermal heat pump removes the heat from the fluid in the Earth and transfers it to the building. For cooling, the pump removes heat from the building and transfers it back into the Earth. Nearly every component of the Recovery Act-supported system was manufactured in America, and Ball State has contracted with more than 50 Indiana firms to complete the project, which included drilling 3,600 boreholes around campus.
Buildings consume about 40% of total energy in the U.S. The Energy Department's support for projects like the Ball State geothermal system underscores the Administration's commitment to clean, efficient energy solutions that can create significant costs savings. The innovative geothermal system highlighted today demonstrates the tremendous potential of sustainable energy technologies, and serves as a model for other major facilities and universities across the nation. BD+C
Related Stories
Industry Research | Jan 30, 2018
AIA’s Kermit Baker: Five signs of an impending upturn in construction spending
Tax reform implications and rebuilding from natural disasters are among the reasons AIA’s Chief Economist is optimistic for 2018 and 2019.
Market Data | Jan 30, 2018
AIA Consensus Forecast: 4.0% growth for nonresidential construction spending in 2018
The commercial office and retail sectors will lead the way in 2018, with a strong bounce back for education and healthcare.
Architects | Jan 29, 2018
14 marketing resolutions AEC firms should make in 2018
As we close out the first month of the New Year, AEC firms have made (and are still making) plans for where and how to spend their marketing time and budgets in 2018.
Education Facilities | Jan 29, 2018
My day as a kindergartner
The idea of a kindergarten-only school presents both challenges and opportunities in regards to the design.
AEC Tech | Jan 29, 2018
thyssenkrupp tests self-driving robot for ‘last mile’ delivery of elevator parts
“With driverless delivery robots, we could fill a gap and get spare parts from our warehouses to the jobsite faster,” said thyssenkrupp SVP Ivo Siebers.
Architects | Jan 26, 2018
Stephen Ayers, FAIA, honored with the 2018 AIA Thomas Jefferson Award
The award honors significant contributions to public architecture.
Architects | Jan 26, 2018
Recipients for the 2018 Collaborative Achievement Award selected
The recipients will be honored at the AIA Conference on Architecture 2018 in New York City.
K-12 Schools | Jan 25, 2018
Cost estimating for K-12 school projects: An invaluable tool for budget management
Clients want to be able to track costs at every stage of a project, and cost estimates (current and life cycle) are valuable planning and design tools, writes LS3P's Ginny Magrath, AIA.
Architects | Jan 25, 2018
Four keys to designing autistic-friendly spaces
Autism, in part, gave us modern architecture, writes PDR’s Julie Troung.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Jan 25, 2018
Virginia Beach: A surf town with a wave problem no more
A world-class surf park will highlight Virginia Beach’s new live-work-play development.