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Geothermal on Campus (Ongoing)

Project History

  • eGen010 Geothermal Feasibility Study - Successful

    10/3/2019

    Andy Stumpf provided the following response for eGEN010, "Yes. The summary will be compiled as part of a 'Living Labs' project proposed by the Illinois Water Resources Center."

     

  • SSC funds Energy Shaft at the Energy Farm

    2/20/2019

    This student-led project will involve the design, construction, and installation of an energy geo-structure for heating the UIUC Energy Farm, located near the southeast corner of Race Street and Curtis Road on the South Farms.
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Project Family

Description

Geothermal energy is thermal energy stored in the Earth that humans can extract, process and then use.  Geothermal energy is cost effective, reliable, and sustainable, but has historically been limited to areas near tectonic plate boundaries.  Recent technological advances have expanded the range and size of viable resources, especially for applications such as home heating.  Geothermal wells release greenhouse gases trapped in the earth, but these emissions are much lower than those of fossil fuels.  Geothermal power can be used to reduce greenhouse gas emissions if used in place of fossil fuels.  Drilling and exploration for these deep resources is very expensive, therefore the future of geothermal power depends on technology, energy prices, and many other factors.

Themes

Project Location(s)

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