Fossil fuels are the largest contributor to global climate change. The increasing use of coal, oil and gas results in greater greenhouse gas and carbon dioxide emissions, which trap heat in the atmosphere and ultimately warm the planet. These fossil fuels are extensively used to supply a current high energy demand, in the U.S. and the rest of the world. This demand stems from several sources, notably including the development of data centers, overall manufacturing and the electrification of transportation and buildings.
Universities are a huge part of this energy demand and therefore are significant contributors to the energy crisis. They relentlessly use fossil fuels to power their campuses. But universities are starting to recognize their negative effects on the environment and turn toward renewable energy sources as an alternative to fossil fuels.
The presence of one type of renewable resource in particular, geothermal, is growing. Geoexchange technology, powered by geothermal energy, is a looped pipe system that draws from natural heat underground to generate power, electricity, heating and cooling. Colleges are beginning to implement geothermal technology on a wider scale because of its positive impact on the environment. Geoexchange produces 99% less carbon dioxide and 97% less sulfur compounds than fossil fuel plants. The renewable source’s efficiency and economic viability will allow campuses like the University of Michigan’s to get closer to reaching their sustainability goals.
The University is already utilizing geoexchange technology on North Campus with their Hayward Street system. The new Hadley Family Recreation & Well-Being Center, Edward and Rosalie Ginsberg Building and Wolverine Village will also be geoexchange sites — an aspect of their construction that’s not largely advertised. The newly empty Palmer Field is in consideration for geoexchange as well. For a college trying to commit to a sustainable future, this is a good start.
Current projects are a start to implementing geothermal energy at the University but in the grand scheme, these geoexchange projects are few in number. The University should be taking advantage of a greater opportunity to implement it across campus. By focusing on geothermal, the University would make a sustainable and clean commitment and pave its way to emerge as a national face for a leading renewable energy source. And for a campus that has specific goals for carbon neutrality, it is a necessary move.
These goals, outlined in the University’s Campus Plan 2050, include eliminating purchased power to net zero by 2025 — which was not achieved in that timeframe. Right now, the University relies on its Central Power Plant and purchasing energy from outside companies to generate power. However, expanding geothermal energy on campus could reduce these reliances.
In addition to its decreased emissions, geothermal energy is more durable than traditional heating and cooling systems. On average, a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, which is what most University buildings currently use, lasts between 10 to 25 years. Meanwhile, geothermal systems can last more than 50 years, with heat pump replacement possible after 20 to 25 years. It also provides more heating and cooling per energy input than these conventional systems and uses less water, proving its efficiency.
And when compared to other forms of clean energy, geothermal has significant advantages. Since these systems primarily operate with underground pumps, they use less land whereas alternatives like solar or wind energy require more space. In Ann Arbor and on the University’s campus, space is precious. A clean energy system that uses less of it is preferable for infrastructure and makes a convincing case for University decision makers. Furthermore, geothermal energy has greater baseload capacity and is a stable provider, as it is not dependent on weather, time or season as wind and solar energy are.
Several college campuses across the country have full or partial geothermal energy systems. Ball State University boasts the largest system, with more than 3,600 boreholes dug into the ground — fueling 50 campus buildings. At Colorado Mesa University, geothermal provides 90% of the energy required to operate the campus. The University of Notre Dame is also investing in geothermal by building systems underneath new athletic facilities, something the University has begun but should devote even more attention to.
Powering a college campus with geothermal energy isn’t just a small environmental project that gains public appreciation points, it’s a realistic sustainability goal that the University needs to commit itself to entirely.
Geothermal energy is not just becoming prominent for colleges, though. This past February, the U.S. Department of Energy announced it is investing $171.5 million to expand geothermal energy in the country. Although this is a relatively small investment, it’s clear the current energy demand is forcing reconsideration of where power comes from — and geothermal energy is beginning to join the conversation.
Resistance to implementing greater geothermal energy stems from high upfront costs and feasibility concerns. Also, on a campus and city already riddled with construction projects, social acceptance of a massive geothermal switch would drop dramatically. These projects require a lot of money, time and disruption to campus.
But, as most U-M students know, the University will always continue expanding and that does require construction. And in any upcoming U-M construction projects, geothermal should be a consideration. In terms of cost, geothermal energy’s high upfront costs can be offset over time because of its high efficiency, long-term operational savings and government incentives. Yes, it’s an investment, but there will still be a beneficial return for the University. And the reality is, the University will always need power. The decision just lies in where it’s going to come from.
Geothermal energy should be a University priority. And the move to geothermal starts with the administration making a dedication that all new projects, like dorms, athletic facilities or academic buildings, will run primarily on this type of energy. Geothermal energy should also be implemented at preexisting spaces, further reducing the reliance on the Central Power Plant and outside companies. Other colleges haven’t let their old systems stop them from restructuring new sustainable methods, so there’s no reason the University can’t either.
The University must actively seek to reinvent campus in sustainable ways. Right now there is an opportunity to shift energy supply from fossil fuels to renewable resources, and with geoexchange technology the University can become a prominent sustainability model. There’s no doubt that this University will continue to expand, it’s just about ensuring that the expansions are powered by cleaner energy sources, like geothermal.
Emma Margaron is a Summer Senior Opinion Editor who writes about the environment, science and justice. She can be reached at margaron@umich.edu.
