Distributed Energy Resources, GHG Emissions, Sourcing Renewables  -  December 17, 2024

Smith College Heated by Geothermal Energy

A portion of Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, is now being heated by geothermal energy, making it one of the first academic institutions nationwide to transfer to geothermal energy.

About 19% of the square footage of the campus is deploying geothermal energy after two years of construction, according to a statement. 

The project will replace Smith’s fossil-fuel-fired steam heating system with an electrically powered geothermal one and reduce the college’s carbon emissions by 80%. Smith has a goal to reach carbon neutrality by 2030.

The $210 million project began construction in May 2022. Students, professors and visitors can expect more construction through additional phases at the Quad District, which will be under construction until summer 2025, and at the Central District, which will be under construction from summer 2025 to summer 2028.

Geothermal energy uses boreholes dug underground to  tap into the  earth’s temperature, said Gary Hartwell, project manager in facilities management.

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