USA: Notre Dame installs three geothermal fields

SOUTH BEND — Youngsters run on soccer fields this summer at the University of Notre Dame, unaware that part of the university’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gases is hidden under that turf.

Notre Dame has installed three underground geothermal fields designed to lower campus carbon dioxide emissions, reduce use of natural gas and coal, and create long-term savings.

Geothermal systems use less energy to heat and cool buildings than more traditional energy sources, said Paul Kempf, the university’s senior director of utilities and maintenance. Read more....