Geothermal Energy at Eaglebrook
By William Y. '15
Eaglebrook is investing heavily in renewable energy and sustainable programs, because Earth’s valuable resources are diminishing faster than ever and EBS recognizes that it is important to remember that these resources are not everlasting. In order to continue to use Earth’s resources for generations to come, we must conserve and reuse. Eaglebrook is doing precisely this through the utilization of geothermal energy.
There are two types of energy: nonrenewable and renewable. Nonrenewable energy takes much longer to replace, like natural gas and coal. Renewable energy is easily replaced, such as solar and wind energy. Geothermal energy is one such type of renewable energy. It is thermal energy generated and stored within the Earth’s internal heat, contained in the rock and fluids beneath Earth’s crust. Most importantly, it is a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels and other nonrenewable energy sources that are quickly disappearing.
At Eaglebrook, the use of geothermal energy is almost ubiquitous. Two years ago, 6 geothermal wells were installed to provide all the energy for the new faculty homes by the tennis courts. Last year, the 28 geothermal wells that were put in the Baines parking lot went online this past September. Furthermore, our school is not yet done with geothermal energy installations. The new Science, Art and Music addition to the Edward P. Evans Academic Center will utilize geothermal energy as a consistent source for heating and cooling.
Mr. Wes Smith, the director of Eaglebrook’s geothermal energy construction project, has so far only received positive reactions. Indoor air quality has been drastically improved in the Learning Center. The data gathered for the wells at the new faculty homes has also been positive in its economic and energy savings. He is excited that emerging technologies are allowing for deeper wells, which would allow Eaglebrook to decrease the number of wells based on the building load. This would mean only 9 wells at about 1100 feet deep would provide enough geothermal energy for the new Science, Arts and Music building.
The projects are supposed to pay off in about 8 years, according to a pro forma based estimated annual savings. While geothermal energy does save money in the long term, that is not the main goal behind these projects.
Eaglebrook hopes to use geothermal energy to sustain our natural resources and protect the planet that has given so much of its resources to us already. It is our duty, as inhabitants of the beautiful Earth we call home, to protect and conserve it for myriad generations. With the installation of the aforementioned geothermal energy projects, Eaglebrook has taken its first of many steps to allow our amazing planet to flourish for eons to come. Learn more about Sustainability programs at Eaglebrook at www.eaglebrook.org/sustainability.
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There are two types of energy: nonrenewable and renewable. Nonrenewable energy takes much longer to replace, like natural gas and coal. Renewable energy is easily replaced, such as solar and wind energy. Geothermal energy is one such type of renewable energy. It is thermal energy generated and stored within the Earth’s internal heat, contained in the rock and fluids beneath Earth’s crust. Most importantly, it is a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels and other nonrenewable energy sources that are quickly disappearing.
At Eaglebrook, the use of geothermal energy is almost ubiquitous. Two years ago, 6 geothermal wells were installed to provide all the energy for the new faculty homes by the tennis courts. Last year, the 28 geothermal wells that were put in the Baines parking lot went online this past September. Furthermore, our school is not yet done with geothermal energy installations. The new Science, Art and Music addition to the Edward P. Evans Academic Center will utilize geothermal energy as a consistent source for heating and cooling.
Mr. Wes Smith, the director of Eaglebrook’s geothermal energy construction project, has so far only received positive reactions. Indoor air quality has been drastically improved in the Learning Center. The data gathered for the wells at the new faculty homes has also been positive in its economic and energy savings. He is excited that emerging technologies are allowing for deeper wells, which would allow Eaglebrook to decrease the number of wells based on the building load. This would mean only 9 wells at about 1100 feet deep would provide enough geothermal energy for the new Science, Arts and Music building.
The projects are supposed to pay off in about 8 years, according to a pro forma based estimated annual savings. While geothermal energy does save money in the long term, that is not the main goal behind these projects.
Eaglebrook hopes to use geothermal energy to sustain our natural resources and protect the planet that has given so much of its resources to us already. It is our duty, as inhabitants of the beautiful Earth we call home, to protect and conserve it for myriad generations. With the installation of the aforementioned geothermal energy projects, Eaglebrook has taken its first of many steps to allow our amazing planet to flourish for eons to come. Learn more about Sustainability programs at Eaglebrook at www.eaglebrook.org/sustainability.
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