flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Rochester, Minn., plans extensive geothermal network

Geothermal Technology

Rochester, Minn., plans extensive geothermal network

The system uses existing groundwater, reducing number of wells needed.


By Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor | July 29, 2024
Rochester, Minn., plans extensive geothermal network Photo by Solen Feyissa on Unsplash

Photo by Solen Feyissa on Unsplash

The city of Rochester, Minn., home of the famed Mayo Clinic, is going big on geothermal networks.

The city is constructing Thermal Energy Networks (TENs) that consist of ambient pipe loops connecting multiple buildings and delivering thermal heating and cooling energy via water-source heat pumps. A groundwater-based system with a heat exchanger installed into the aquifer feeds into a closed loop that connects to buildings’ HVAC systems.

Groundwater is pumped from and returned to the same source so that the aquifer maintains its water level. Each well can generate between 20 and 50 times the amount of energy compared to a traditional borehole, requiring far fewer wells to be drilled and making the system ideal for tight urban sites.

Rochester’s City Hall has been connected to the city’s first TEN and is now fully electrified. The networks will next be expanded to connect four other public buildings (the library, art center, civic center, and a theater) and up to six privately owned multifamily buildings.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category

Sustainable Design and Construction

Northglenn, a Denver suburb, opens a net zero, all-electric city hall with a mass timber structure

Northglenn, Colo., a Denver suburb, has opened the new Northglenn City Hall—a net zero, fully electric building with a mass timber structure. The 32,600-sf, $33.7 million building houses 60 city staffers. Designed by Anderson Mason Dale Architects, Northglenn City Hall is set to become the first municipal building in Colorado, and one of the first in the country, to achieve the Core certification: a green building rating system overseen by the International Living Future Institute.



Government Buildings

One of the country’s first all-electric fire stations will use no outside energy sources

Charlotte, N.C.’s new Fire Station #30 will be one of the country’s first all-electric fire stations, using no outside energy sources other than diesel fuel for one or two of the fire trucks. Multiple energy sources will power the station, including solar roof panels and geothermal wells. The two-story building features three truck bays, two fire poles, dispatch area, contamination room, and gear storage.


halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021

Â