Geothermal

Maria Hastings Elementary School - Geothermal System Project

gzadan — Tue, 17 Oct 2023 17:58:13 +0000

Maria Hastings Elementary School - Geothermal System Project gzadan Tue, 10/17/2023 - 13:58

Challenge

GZA supported the design team for geothermal in these four phases:
1) geothermal feasibility study, including conceptual wellfield design with cost estimates;
2) geothermal test well, to obtain thermal design parameters
3) geothermal wellfield design by a specialty geothermal mechanical designer;
and 4) construction, including review on contractor submittals and observation/documentation of well installation, surface piping and pressure testing.

Solution

Working with architectural firm, DiNisco Design, GZA provided engineering consulting services and performed a feasibility study of the geothermal conditions at the proposed well site located at the school’s athletic fields. GZA reviewed available hydrogeological information, applicable regulations, and permitting requirements, and published estimates of thermal capacity for bedrock at the site to prepare a conceptual well field design and solicit cost estimates form wellfield installation contractors. ��Ϸ�� recommended closed-loop wells based on regulatory requirements, overall cost, and long-term operations and maintenance requirements.

For the testing phase, GZA teamed with Skillings and Sons (S&S), a well drilling contractor, to install a test well to evaluate the drilling conditions at the site and estimate the thermal parameters for actual design of the well field. GZA’s team coordinated the drilling of a closed loop test well by S&S and conducted a 48-hour thermal conductivity test for use in obtaining site-specific information regarding drilling conditions, groundwater quality, groundwater temperature, and thermal characteristics at the site.

For the construction phase of the project, GZA provided construction oversight and engineering consulting services during the installation of 80 production wells and geothermal piping to confirm compliance with the project plans and specifications. GZA team members provided daily updates for the drilling, grouting, pipe fusion and pressure testing by the geothermal contractor.

Benefit

GZA was able to identify several quality issues during grouting and pressure testing installation that prevented potential later operational issues with geothermal system. The system was installed and is operational today.

Feasibility study
Closed loop test coordination
80 production wells drills
Quality assurance and control

Energy

Government

Geotechnical Engineering Services

Chelsea Soldiers Homes Community Living Center Geothermal System

gzadan — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 14:42:53 +0000

Chelsea Soldiers Homes Community Living Center Geothermal System gzadan Fri, 12/03/2021 - 09:42

Challenge

GZA supported the design team for geothermal in these four phases: 1) geothermal feasibility study, including conceptual wellfield design with cost estimates; 2) geothermal test well, to obtain thermal design parameter; 3) geothermal wellfield design by a specialty geothermal mechanical designer; and 4) construction, including review on contractor submittals and observation/documentation of well installation, surface piping and pressure testing.

Solution

Working with architect Payette, GZA provided consulting services and performed a geothermal feasibility study for the Chelsea Veterans�� Home Community Living Center on behalf of the Massachusetts Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM). The project involved evaluating the proposed geothermal well area atop Powder Horn Hill, at the edge of Malone Park in Chelsea, Massachusetts. GZA reviewed available hydrogeological information, applicable regulations, and permitting requirements, and published estimates of thermal capacity for bedrock at the site to prepare a conceptual well field design and solicit cost estimates form wellfield installation contractors. GZA recommended closed-loop wells based on regulatory requirements, overall cost, and long-term operations and maintenance requirements.

For the construction phase of the project, GZA provided construction oversight and engineering consulting services during the installation of 80 productions wells and geothermal piping to confirm compliance with the project plans and specifications. GZA team members provided daily updates for the drilling, grouting, pipe fusion and pressure testing by the geothermal contractor. The project exceeds LEED Silver certification requirements.

Benefit

GZA was able to resolve with the production driller several quality issues during drilling, grouting and pressure testing that should prevent later potential operational issues with geothermal system. The system was installed and is operational today.

Feasibility study
Permitting and regulatory review
Conceptual well design
Closed loop test
Construction oversight

Institutional

Geotechnical Engineering Services

Phillips Exeter Academy Geothermal Projects

gzadan — ��Ϸ��d, 01 Dec 2021 18:41:20 +0000

Phillips Exeter Academy Geothermal Projects gzadan ��Ϸ��d, 12/01/2021 - 13:41

Thompson Gymnasium/ Fitness Center Renovations- Geothermal

GZA performed a geothermal feasibility study for Rist-Frost-Shumway Engineering, P.C., presenting the results of the installation and testing of a single closed loop geothermal well. GZA reviewed available hydrogeological information, applicable regulations, and permitting requirements, and published estimates of thermal capacity to prepare estimates for the well field-related system installation and operations and maintenance costs for a single closed loop geothermal well. GZA recommended closed loop wells on the basis of regulatory requirements, cost, and long-term operation and maintenance requirements. In a subsequent phase of the project, GZA coordinated the drilling by Skilling’s & Sons and tested all closed loop circuits and 48-hour thermal conductivity test for use in obtaining site-specific information regarding drilling conditions, ground water quality, groundwater temperature, and thermal characteristics at the site. The well was converted to use as a production well during construction of the well field.

The gymnasium building utilizes a closed loop geothermal system design with 15 wells each 500 feet in depth. During the construction, GZA observed the installation of 15 production wells, the fusion and geothermal piping of the circuits and provided inspection services during pressure testing of the wells, the header and manifold piping and flushing of the well field to ensure conformance with the with the project plans and specifications. GZA observed the well field construction on a full-time basis and prepared weekly field reports documenting our observations.

Phillips Hall- Geothermal Construction Support

GZA provided geothermal consulting and construction support services for the construction of a closed loop geothermal well field to serve Phillips Hall following building renovations and an HVAC retrofit. Approximately 49 wells were drilled to depths of 400 feet below ground surface to provide approximately 90 tons of heating and cooling for a hybrid system utilizing geothermal wells supplemented by District steam. GZA provided support during construction including review of submittals, construction oversight of the well field construction including drilling and installation of closed loop geothermal wells and construction of associated header and manifold piping to the building mechanical room.

Goel Center for Theatre and Dance- Geothermal

GZA was retained by Rist-Frost-Shumway Engineering, P.C. (RFS) and Phillips Exeter Academy to provide consulting services and construction observation services during the installation of the geothermal well field for The Goel Center for Theater and Dance in the summer of 2017. This new building would become the third successful geothermal project at the Exeter campus which was completed with GZA and RFS. The center for theater and dance relies on the geothermal wells for heating and cooling and was opened in 2018. The theater and dance building utilizes a closed loop geothermal system design with 60 wells each 500 feet in depth. The design also incorporated a six-circuit system with an underground manifold vault. During the construction, GZA observed the installation of 60 production wells, the fusion and geothermal piping of the six circuits and provided inspection services during pressure testing of the wells, the header and manifold piping and flushing of the well field to ensure conformance with the project plans and specifications.

Geothermal feasibility study
Closed loop geothermal test well
Preliminary wellfield design and cost estimates
Submittal reviews
Construction observation and documentation during well installation, surface piping and pressure testing

Institutional

Energy

Geotechnical Engineering Services