District Energy & Modernization
District Energy & Modernization
District Energy & Modernization
START DATE |
ANTICIPATED COMPLETION DATE |
March 2025 |
November 2025 |
A closed-loop geothermal heating and cooling system that will connect 90 percent of the campus infrastructure and bring us closer to a zero-carbon campus.
Phase I: Current Phase: Construction
Project Scope
The District Energy and Modernization (DEM) project is an evolution of Catawba’s use of renewable energy and a critical step toward maximizing efficiency. When complete, this geothermal system will connect 26 buildings to a district system that will provide heating and cooling for decades to come. This initiative addresses critical deferred maintenance needs while aligning with Catawba's sustainability goals and commitment to achieving a zero-carbon campus. This system truly embodies the Campus as Forest cycling ethos — minimizing waste and maximizing energy efficiency.
Details
Location: Campus-wide
Project Team: Brailsford & Dunlavey, CMTA
A closed-loop geothermal system is being added in four (4) phases to provide efficient, clean energy to heat and cool campus facilities.
How Does It Work?
A closed-loop geothermal system continuously circulates water through buried pipes. Depending on the season, the water either deposits or absorbs heat from the ground.
Closed loop systems are filled once and require a moderate amount of water because the same water is used repeatedly. No fluid escapes, and no outside materials can enter the pipes.
Geothermal heat pump systems use the ground for energy storage, resulting in very high efficiency. Heat from summer cooling is stored in the ground and recovered during the winter for heating.
