A modular geothermal system for a consumer goods manufacturer
Key Facts
Trade
Trade
- HVAC & Thermal Systems
Mobilized expertise
Mobilized expertise
- Modular solution
Project figures
Project figures
- 40% estimated energy reduction
- Installed capacity of 15,400 MW
- 70 customers connected
Introduction
One consumer goods manufacturer sought to shift to geothermal energy to power the campus of its corporate headquarters and significantly reduce its energy use. Considered a renewable energy source, geothermal energy is heat continuously produced within the earth. It can be used for heating and cooling purposes or to generate electricity. Through the design-bid-build process, Systecon, an EQUANS company, provided this customer with a modular utility solution.
Challenges
The customer’s use of a geoexchange geothermal energy system is to provide heating and cooling for its campus’ buildings. The primary challenge to consider was the constraints of the existing space. The current building structure housed a steam boiler plant that would be repurposed for the customer’s new modular central geothermal plant.
Solution
Supporting the project engineer very early in the process, Systecon became the Basis of Design and coordinated the 3D design to facilitate reuse of the existing building structure and integrated factory PLC controls with BACnet interface to the campus Building Management System.
Systecon designed a two-level modular central geothermal plant, incorporating structural steel, heat recovery, modular chillers, boilers, heat exchangers, pumps, controls, and electrical distribution. This two-story plant uses high-efficient modular chillers/heaters for simultaneous cooling and heating.
Results
The two-story modular central geothermal plant fits in the existing building structure and uses high-efficient modular chillers/heaters for simultaneous cooling and heating.