Smith Geothermal Energy Project - Spring / Summer '25

Below, you'll find a status update categorized by district. The enclosed logistics plans detail the projected areas of work extending into fall 2025. Please note that these plans and designated work areas may be revised. Updates through the project website and email distribution list will be provided weekly throughout the academic year. 

North Campus

Geo-related work in North Campus is generally complete.  The Capen Energy Plant’s heat pump and boilers supplied hot water to the district over the winter and early spring.  The heat pump will supply chilled water to buildings for the upcoming cooling season.  Unlike the previous steam heat system’s distinct shut-off date (typically Memorial Day weekend), this new system’s advanced heat pump can switch between heating and cooling modes in real time depending on the building’s demand.

Quadrangle

The crew completed the geothermal bore field, located between Comstock House and Paradise Road, last fall.  It will be ready for use when the Quad’s Emerson Energy Plant comes online in September / October of this year. 

Regarding the Emerson Plant, the heat pump and boilers are in place.  Installation of piping and ductwork will be completed by the end of the summer.  The plant will be ready to supply heat to the district by early October.

Like last summer, the Inner Quad buildings will be closed for the summer so the crews can complete the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) and fire sprinkler work within student rooms and common areas.  At the same time, another set of crews will complete room improvements at Jordan and Emerson Houses only. 

Central District 

Last December, the drill rigs vacated the Quadrangle and re-mobilized at the Athletic field to begin drilling 250 geo-bores to serve the future Central Energy Plant (former Chiller Plant).  This drilling operation will continue through Spring 2026.  Two large horizontal bores will be drilled this summer from the Tyler Lawn, under the Mill River to the new borefield.  This Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) will be completed before the fall semester.

The geothermal distribution pipe (trenching) scope which connects the Energy Plant to the buildings continued throughout this academic year.  There will be more significant work completed this summer along Neilson Drive, under Seelye Drive and through the Ainsworth parking lot. Trenching to Wright Hall and J.M. Greene will take place late summer and early fall respectively. Signage and fencing will be placed to aid in wayfinding and safety. The attached phasing plan provides a timeline for anticipated work areas, which are subject to change.  There will be vehicular, pedestrian and parking disruptions at various locations throughout the Central District.

Along with the distribution piping, there is also work in the basements and mechanical rooms throughout campus. The crews installed piping in nine basements throughout this past academic year. This summer and fall, interior work will continue in the Fine Arts Center, Wright Hall and others.  

We have worked with programs that will be most impacted by ongoing construction to plan for and mitigate impacts to the greatest extent possible. Thank you all for your continued patience, cooperation, and support as we make progress on this remarkable project and our ultimate goal to make Smith Carbon Neutral by 2030! Please feel free to reach out with any questions.