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Campus Announcements • Sustainability

Expanding geothermal on ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú’s campus: North Chiller Plant Conversion to Geothermal project

520 geothermal wells will be drilled under the front lawn of Millett Hall; part of ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú’s plan to reach carbon neutrality by 2040

by Susan Meikle, University Communications and Marketing • Published •
Carbon Neutral 2040 words over an aerial view of campus
ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University is committed to carbon neutrality by 2040. ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú has already reduced energy-based carbon emissions by 51.5% since 2008 and has realized more than $100 million in accumulated cost savings (2008-2023) from building improvements, conservation, and energy systems conversions.
Campus Announcements • Sustainability

Expanding geothermal on ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú’s campus: North Chiller Plant Conversion to Geothermal project

ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University is committed to carbon neutrality by 2040. ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú has already reduced energy-based carbon emissions by 51.5% since 2008 and has realized more than $100 million in accumulated cost savings (2008-2023) from building improvements, conservation, and energy systems conversions.
by Susan Meikle, University Communications and Marketing • Published •

ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University breaks ground this summer on the North Chiller Plant Geothermal Conversion project. 

ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú is committed to achieving carbon neutrality on its Oxford campus by 2040. This project is the next big step toward reducing carbon emissions.

Thanks to the Utility Master Plan, ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú has already reduced energy-based carbon emissions by more than 51% since 2008. 

Highlights of the North Geothermal project:

  • 520 geothermal wells, 850 feet deep, will be drilled under the front lawn of Millett Hall.
  • The North Chiller Plant in ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉúings Hall (formerly ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉúings Natatorium) will be converted to support the geothermal exchange.
  • The project will be completed by summer 2026. 
  • This conversion will eliminate more than 5,810 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents in emissions (MTCO2e) annually (this is equivalent to the emissions of more than 1,300 gas-powered cars.)

 

Q-and-A:

Why are trees being removed from the lawn? Will they be replaced?

Several dozen trees need to be removed from the lawn before well drilling can start. 

Many new trees will be planted when the drilling is complete. 

Note: The double sidewalk from Millett entrance south to Sycamore sidewalk is lined with Callery pear trees. In Jan. 2023, due to its invasiveness in the state. 

Will the Wayne Embry statue, Higgins memorial, and flagpole be moved?

The statue, near the south entrance of Millett Hall, and the  and flagpole at the south end of the walkway near Sycamore Street, will remain in place.

Will there be geothermal wells drilled under Millett West parking lot?

No — this project has evolved since an earlier project design concept involved 1,100 wells, 600 feet deep, under the parking lot.

The current project incurs significant cost savings by siting fewer, but deeper, wells on Millett lawn instead of the parking lot. The earlier design would have necessitated construction of a temporary parking lot near Chestnut Fields during closure of the Millett lot. The current plan eliminates the need for a temporary parking lot across campus, saving green space and potential transportation barriers.  

Digging deeper: Timeline of energy systems conversions

2011- First phases of the Utility Master Plan begin: ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú’s office of Energy Systems began the massive project to convert the central steam plant (by 2026) and miles of underground piping to Simultaneous Heating and Cooling (SHC). 

2011 -  First geothermal installed: In the historic Elliott and Stoddard residence halls.

2014 - Western Geothermal Plant completed: Currently serves nine buildings on ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú’s Western campus. It will expand in the near future to serve Bachelor Hall after renovation (which begins summer 2024) and Shideler Hall, plus additional buildings on Western campus. 

2016 - Converted ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉúings Natatorium to the North Chiller Plant: This conversion took North quad buildings off steam heat and cooling and on to energy efficient Heating Hot Water (HHW). North and East quad residence halls were updated with central air conditioning. 

2018-2019 - South Campus energy systems conversions included South Campus Chiller Plant providing HHW to 19 buildings on South Quad, including Goggin Ice Center and the Recreational Sports Center. 

2022-2023 - Nine Central Quad buildings converted from steam heating systems to HHW. 

2024 - North Chiller Plant Conversion to geothermal begins: Millett Hall and the Gross Student Athlete Development Center will be converted off steam heating to simultaneous heating and cooling and geothermal. North quad buildings currently served by HHW will be converted to geothermal heating and cooling.  

2026 - 72% of buildings on HHW or geothermal: 72% of ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú’s Oxford campus buildings will have been converted off steam to HHW or geothermal. Central steam plant converted to HHW. 

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