Case Study

Historic Building Reverses Aging with Geothermal Renewable Energy

Historic Building Reverses Aging with Geothermal Renewable Energy

Energy Reducing Strategies for Aging Structure

Highlights:

  • All Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) systems required upgrades as they were failing on a continual basis.
  • The Owner selected renewable geothermal energy to pave the way for energy efficiency with the promise of a 10-year payback
  • 412 issues were discovered during design review, site inspections, and system testing.

The Problem + Backstory

A 200-year-old aging historical building in Lansing, Michigan required upgrades on all Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) systems as they were failing on a continual basis. The 5-story building with an additional sub-basement level was designated a National Historic Landmark. Due to age and capacity limitations, it was challenging to bring the facility up to desired energy efficiency. Overall comfort for end users fluctuated greatly as air filtration issues made it difficult to keep zones consistent. Air leakage caused heating and cooling problems in various sections of the building. A long-term solution for renewable energy was required to upgrade the building for comfort and reduce energy costs simultaneously, as well as seek LEED Gold status.

A long-term, renewable energy solution was required to upgrade the building for comfort and reduce energy costs simultaneously, as well as seek LEED Gold status.

The Plan

The owner selected geothermal renewable energy to pave the way for energy efficiency with the promise of a 10-year payback. Installing thermal energy as a unique solution included installing 275 geothermal wells which was 52 miles of pipe, not including header and return pipes. In addition to the geothermal wells, the project included a new 10,600 sqft underground Central Utility Plant that would house the new electrical substation, switchgear, geothermal head end manifold, gas-fired condensing boilers, circulation pumps, water heaters, and more. To ensure all MEP assets were operating as designed with this new energy initiative, the Owner brought on Synergy Engineers as the commissioning team to ensure all MEP systems would operate as designed.

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