You might not realize it, but beneath our feet lies a source of heat that can be tapped to provide heating and cooling to both residential and commercial buildings, replacing current, large-scale systems with a renewable and domestically sourced energy. The application, Deep Direct-Use (DDU), is an emerging technology that has been underutilized in the U.S., and if feasible, could result in greater opportunities for geothermal resource development and high energy cost savings throughout the country.
One exciting example of DDU technology advancement is taking place in West Virginia where researchers are evaluating the feasibility of harvesting heat from geothermal resources and using it directly to heat or cool buildings. West Virginia University (WVU), one of six DOE awardees selected in 2017 to work on DDU technology, is evaluating the feasibility of creating the first geothermal direct-use heating and cooling system in the Eastern U.S. This system could sustainably heat and cool up to 250 buildings on nearly 2,000 acres of the campus, an estimated savings of up to $1 million annually in heating and cooling costs.
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From the Global Geothermal News archives:
- Monday, November 6, 2017 - USA, West Virginia: First Geothermal Direct-Use Heating and Cooling System in Eastern US On Track
- Friday, June 30, 2017 - USA: Six Research Teams Chosen for Geothermal Deep Direct-Use Feasibility Studies