Geothermal Heating and Cooling

Heating and cooling for the new Living and Learning Student Residence Hall (LLRH6) is provided by a geothermal field located below the surface of Olmsted Green. The geothermal system—considered state-of-the-art in green energy production– consists of a grid of eighty-eight wells and a distribution system. The consulting engineers, Setty & Associates recommended the geothermal system in a feasibility analysis commissioned by the university in August 2010.

The geothermal system on this, and potentially other future projects, present a viable means to relieve demand on Gallaudet’s aging central boiler/chiller plant. Given the available geothermal capacity of campus open spaces, the energy efficiency, and relative ease of maintenance the Setty report made a compelling case for considering a long-term plan for transitioning the campus from the central plant to a dispersed, all geothermal system. The field supporting LLRH6 will serve as a test case. As it is successful as planned, the project could mark the beginning of a new era of sustainability for Gallaudet University.