Solar-Geothermal Hybrid Systems: A Possible Solution to UMass Amherst’s Massive Heat Problem

Carbon dioxide has been connected to events such as global warming, coral bleaching, and many other things that are currently posing a threat to our planet. One of the largest contributors to our carbon emissions is the Central Heating Plant, producing 85,000 metric tons of CO2 per year. Our team decided to investigate an alternate, renewable and eco-friendly way to mitigate the emissions produced by the plant. Following the example set by Ball State University (BSU), we found that implementing a geothermal system would decrease carbon emissions from the CHP by 72%. However, the immense size of the system would have to be increased relative to that of BSU’s in order to meet the heating demands of our campus. As BSU’s system is already one million ft2, increasing the size is unrealistic as UMass does not have large amounts of free space. Our team has decided to look at an innovative and alternative way to implement a geothermal system at UMass that will overcome this problem. Our proposal is to expand the BSU system design by combining it with a photovoltaic solar field so that together the system as a whole can produce the necessary heat required by the facilities on campus. In addition, this new system will be able to provide cooling during warmer months and is capable of producing electricity with little reliance on an outside source. The total cost of this system is estimated to be $100 million, with annual savings of $2 million for the total amount of CO2 mitigated. This is a small price to pay for securing a brighter and better future.