Local news | State awards CU Boulder $675,000 to study geothermal renewable energy

May 28 – The University of Colorado at Boulder received $675,000 on Friday from the state to study the feasibility of using geothermal energy on campus.

Geothermal energy is the use of heat from the Earth to produce renewable energy. CU Boulder will use the money to conduct two feasibility studies and geothermal project designs that will produce millions of square feet of on-site geothermal energy.

“Geothermal energy, the heat under our feet, is an untapped resource that can save people money on energy and improve air quality,” the governor. Jared Polis it was written in the statement. “Colorado is already a national leader in low-cost renewable energy, and now with these grants we are supporting the development of geothermal energy across the state.”

According to the announcement, the development of geothermal energy resources in Colorado “is essential to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, while creating stable, well-paid jobs” and providing affordable and reliable access to clean energy,

CU Boulder received funding through Colorado A Geothermal Energy Grant Program designed to increase the use of geothermal technology throughout the state. Part of the funding was provided by CU Boulder $7.7 million awarded Friday to geothermal energy projects in the state.

“Geothermal energy has enormous growth potential in terms of applications United Statesand we are grateful to the state for this funding, which will help us continue to explore the use of both geoexchange and geothermal resources on campus,” CU Boulder Chancellor Filip DiStefano – it was written in the statement. “The proposed research will contribute to CU Boulder’s energy and climate action goals as we strive to reduce climate impacts to benefit the Colorado CU Boulder residents, students, faculty and staff, and the local and regional community.”

The funding follows CU Boulder’s release in April of its updated Climate Action Plan, which outlines the campus’ climate goals of reducing emissions by 50% by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050.

The first study, financed by almost $500,000 grant, will examine the use of geothermal energy in Williams Village Residences. If the project is successful, the campus will create a geocenter capable of obtaining energy for heating or cooling from natural ground temperatures. The project could result in investments in geothermal heating and cooling systems on campus that will replace CU Boulder’s reliance on heat generated from steam and fossil fuels.

The second study will examine the availability and feasibility of using deep geothermal resources to generate heat and electricity for the campus. Funded from approx $175,000 from the state, the study results could lead to the addition of cogeneration plants on campus that produce geothermal energy and create new job opportunities.

Electricity is produced using geothermal technology by extracting high-temperature heat from deep within the earth to produce steam, which is then converted into electricity. CU Boulder plans to start in July or August.

“We are excited to begin work on scoping geothermal energy generation and district heating system design studies,” CU Boulder vice chancellor for infrastructure and sustainability Chris Ewing – it was written in the statement. “We are excited to begin working with the Colorado Energy Office, RMH, Eavor Technologies, NREL, Major Geothermal and the Boulder community on this important research and are excited about the opportunities that may arise from it.”

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