The South Campus Infrastructure project, which includes the installation of the geothermal system, is scheduled to be completed in February 2026, according to Elizabeth Craun, director of major projects on the University Planning, Design and Construction Team.
Last year saw the addition of a brand-new residence and dining hall on South Campus. Alongside this construction, the infrastructure plan included a clean, renewable project to heat and cool the buildings, according to O&G Industries. The project broke ground in the summer of 2023.
“The geothermal system was designed to heat the new CT Hall and cool both CT Hall and several existing buildings in South Campus (as we are in a northern climate, heating requires more energy per cubic foot than cooling, so more space can be cooled than heated with the same system),” Craun said via email.
According to a project update made by O&G Industries, this geothermal system will be implemented deep underground. This system is “known as a ground loop heat exchanger, which functions similarly to air source heat pumps commonly found in residential settings but offers greater efficiency.”
According to the project update, the design includes an installation of 80 wells drilled to 800 feet under the S Lot parking area on the South side of campus.
“The wells were completed [last] September and will be tied into the chiller plant this season while it undergoes an expansion to accommodate the new sustainable infrastructure. The area was returned to parking once the wells were completed,” the update said.
This process will allow the buildings to conserve heat and cool air more efficiently during the winter and summer months, according to the project update. This expansion will double the size of the currently existing plant being used to heat the South Campus built in 1991, according to O&G Industries.
“Students in the South Campus dorms and CT Hall should not notice a difference in indoor temperatures when the geothermal system comes online this winter,” said Craun. “These dorms offer air conditioning as well as suite-style living, making them a popular housing option.”
As of now, the geothermal wall has been installed underneath S lot, other underground utilities are all nearly in place, an addition to the South Campus Plant has been completed, and most equipment has been installed inside the plant, according to Craun.
The construction was initially projected to be completed at the same time the new residential hall, Connecticut Hall, became open to the public. However, according to Craun, construction was pushed back due to budgeting and scheduling issues. The equipment is now scheduled to be in place by December 2025, and should be in service by February 2026, according to Craun.