CMU raises nearly $400,000 in geothermal energy financing | News

The University of Colorado Mesa has received nearly $400,000 in new funding to help further develop its state-of-the-art geothermal system.

The Colorado Energy Office is providing the funding as part of $7.7 million in grants announced last week aimed at supporting the use of geothermal technology in the state. The funding will be allocated to 35 projects including: installing geothermal heat pumps in buildings, researching and developing interconnected geothermal systems, called thermal energy networks between buildings, and testing and validating geothermal resources for electricity generation.

Gov. Jared Polis’ office said in a news release that grant recipients are expected to invest more than $100 million in projects to spur state investment.

CMU will receive $210,493.50 to install a connection between the Fine Arts Building and the university’s geothermal network. Another $187,500 will go toward designing a building remodel and geothermal connections to connect Tolman Hall to the geothermal exchange system.

CMU’s geothermal system is the largest at Intermountain West, drawing heat underground and helping meet heating and cooling needs on campus. Currently, 4.5 km of central loop pipe connects 16 buildings, representing 70% of the buildings on campus.

The system reduces campus carbon dioxide emissions by 9,000 tons per year, saves $1.5 million annually in energy costs and saves students approximately 2% on tuition costs.

The new funding complements previous $6 million in state funding and $3 million from CMU that was earmarked for expanding the university’s geothermal system. The expansion will start this summer.

“The expansion of CMU’s geographic exchange system is a tangible example of how we are bringing the values ​​of our campus to life,” CMU President John Marshall said in a prepared statement Thursday in response to the approval of the new grant funding. “By saving millions of dollars annually in energy costs, we are able to keep tuition affordable for students who are seeking the opportunity to live a better life through education.”

Polis, who has previously touted CMU’s geothermal system, said in his office’s news release about the new state subsidies: “Geothermal energy, or the heat under our feet, is an untapped resource that can save people money on energy and improve air quality. 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.”

Among other projects that won grants, the University of Colorado at Boulder received $675,000 to conduct feasibility and design studies for two geothermal projects, and Mt Princeton Geothermal LLC received $500,000 to support well drilling to better understand the geology of the hot springs-rich area. The Mount Princeton area outside Buena Vista and its geothermal energy opportunities.

Projects in Carbondale, Pitkin County, Crested Butte and Rico, among others, are receiving grants.