Geothermal Energy Independent Research
Location: Macalester College, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Duration: September - December 2024
Geothermal
As a student repsentative on the Macalester College Sustainability Advisory Committee, I advocate for student interest in campus’ carbon neutrality and zero waste goals. Recognizeing natural gas heating as a significant barrier to decarbonization, I took on a semester-long independent study to evaluate the feasibility of switching to geothermal heating.
Research Question
What is the technological, environmental, and economic feasibility of switching Macalester College’s heating and cooling system to a geothermal system?
Accomplishments
Worked with Macalester’s Facilities team, Sustainability Office, and Geothermal start-up to estimate costs and system design.
Conducted a cost/benefit analysis.
Researched peer institutions’ geothermal systems.