Smith Geothermal Energy Project - Summer of 2024 Overview

In North Campus, restoration of Davis lawn and landscaping activities will continue into early fall 2024. Fencing will remain at the Capen Energy Plant/Davis parking area through summer 2024. Buildings are being converted to the geothermal exchange system this spring through the summer 2024. Schedules and impacts for specific buildings will be noted in the weekly construction updates. North Campus is on track for a fully operational Capen Energy Plant by October 2024. 

Over the academic year ‘23-’24, the focus was on enabling buildings for conversions to the geothermal system at the basement level. This ongoing phase of the work will support bringing fully air-conditioned systems to Gardiner, Jordan, Wilson, Emerson, Morrow and Cushing. We will continue to store project equipment in the area north of Comstock/Haynes House at the corner of Mandelle Road and Kensington Avenue. 

Moving into summer 2024, 61 wells will be drilled at the bore field location between Comstock House and Paradise Road. Drilling is anticipated to begin on Tuesday, May 28 and continue through early fall, with landscaping activities continuing through November and final landscape restorations in the spring of 2025. Access to Mandelle Road from Paradise Road and sidewalks in that immediate area will be closed for the summer. Please reference the above logistics plan for anticipated work areas.  

The Quadrangle continues to be on track to begin using the Emerson Energy Plant geothermal system in fall 2025.