WorldWide Drilling Resource

WorldWide Drilling Resource ® is proud to work in cooperation with to bring you more information about the benefits of geothermal drilling. 37 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® NOVEMBER 2013 Colorado Capitol Goes Geothermal Compiled by Amy White, Associate Editor WorldWide Drilling Resource ® Colorado’s state capitol building is the first in the country to use a geother- mal system for heating and cooling, and WWDR continues coverage of this energy advancement in the state. The work in Denver has been per- formed via an energy performance con- tract with Chevron Energy Solutions (CES). The company drilled an 865- foot well under the state capitol to run a pipe into the Arapahoe aquifer be- low the bui lding, tapping into 65ºF (18ºC) waters. The new geothermal system will air condition the Senate and House chambers during summer and help heat the building in winter. The Department of Personnel and Administration, which is overseeing the project, says geothermal units have been brought onl ine and are in the process of being commissioned and balanced. In addition to the upgraded functionality of air conditioning to the building, the project is replacing exist- ing pumps and other equipment dat- ing back to the 1940s which were beyond their estimated useful life, thus avoid- ing about $904,000 in replacement costs. The project is revenue-neutral be- cause it pays for itself. The government expects to save $100,000 in the first year alone on heating and cooling costs. “It’s an energy source that will last for generations,” said project manager Lance Shepard. The Colorado Governor’s Energy Office is committed to leading the state to a New Energy Economy by advancing energy efficiency and clean, renewable, and alternative energy resources. It sup- ports energy performance contracting as an affordable way for bui lding owners and managers to make invest- ments in energy efficiency improve- ments and renewable energy. CES was one of 11 energy service companies preapproved by Colorado to identify and evaluate energy-saving opportunities and recommend and in- stall a package of improvements that would be paid for with the resulting savings. The program is one response to an Executive Order requiring state buildings to reduce energy consump- tion by 20% over the next five years. “Colorado has been a national trendsetter in deploying clean energy technologies, which will be critical to Photo of Colorado’s state capitol building courtesy of colorado.gov • Simple installation • Trouble-free operation For more information call: (270) 786-3010 or visit us online: www.geothermalsupply.com Atlantis Vault ensuring America’s global compet- itiveness,” said Dr. David Danielson, Assistant Secretary for the Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy division. “Retrofitting public facilities to operate with renew- able energy helps strengthen our econ- omy, saves taxpayers money over the long term, and helps reduce pollution. This project serves as a good example of how communities across the country can improve the energy performance of their state government buildings.” The British government signed a memorandum of understanding with Iceland last year, stating interest in connecting to Iceland’s geothermal energy. Volcanic heat from Iceland could power British homes within a decade as an alternative when calm weather lulls wind farm activity.