NMC’s $20M Geothermal Project Uncovered
TL/DR –
Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) is building a new geothermal exchange system to heat and cool five of its buildings, which are currently heated by an aging power plant. The project, which involves drilling 220 bores into the ground to create a heat exchange field, is expected to reduce carbon emissions by 96%. The project received $2.7 million in funding from Congress and $5 million from the sale of the Boardman Lake Campus, and is expected to pay for itself within 20-25 years.
Northwestern Michigan College’s Green Initiative Targets a 96% Cut in Carbon Emissions
Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) is embarking on an ambitious plan to significantly reduce its carbon emissions. The college is currently installing a geothermal exchange system that it believes will cut its carbon emissions by a whopping 96 percent. The project, which kicked off in May, involves drilling two daily bores deep into the ground beneath the college’s Cherry parking lot. Upon completion, the system will provide heating and cooling for five main buildings on the NMC campus.
The Need for a New Energy System
Historically, Scholars Hall, the Osterlin Building, the Tanis Building, the Biederman Building, and the Health & Science building have relied on an outdated power plant for heating. As Troy Kierczynski, NMC’s vice president of finance and administration, notes, “the power plant has four massive boilers, and three of them are over 50 years old.” The college recognized the need for a more sustainable heating solution in 2020 and has been working towards implementing this geothermal project.
A Journey Towards Sustainability
Following an energy study conducted by GMB Engineering in 2021, which explored both the cost of replacing the existing system and potential alternative energy options, NMC decided to adopt the geothermal approach. The college had previously implemented a geothermal system for the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, giving them insights into the environmental benefits and potential energy savings of such projects.
Funding the Project
With financial help from former US Senator Debbie Stabenow, NMC bagged $2.7 million in congressionally directed spending in 2023. This, coupled with the NMC Board of Trustees’ decision to allocate $5 million from the Boardman Lake Campus sale to the project and NMC’s contractor, the Christman Company, breaking ground on the $20 million investment, the geothermal project became a reality.
How the Geothermal System Works
Establishing a geothermal system involves hefty work and infrastructure. For instance, the Christman Company has spent the entire summer operating five drill rigs at NMC’s Cherry Lot, drilling two bores per day. The system utilizes a closed loop of a water-glycol mix, which is sent deep into the ground and then brought back up, harnessing the thermal energy found below the earth’s surface for heating and cooling purposes.
Geothermal Project as a Teaching Tool
Apart from the actual benefits of the geothermal system, the project also serves as a practical learning tool for students. A “manifold building” will showcase the top of the geothermal network, offering a glance into the system’s workings. “We see the opportunity to use this as a demonstration facility for our environmental and engineering classes,” says Kierczynski.
Completion and Future Plans
Come October, the visible part of the system should be complete. However, the system won’t be operational until next year. At that point, all buildings served by this system will be taken offline for all necessary mechanical, HVAC, and electrical upgrades, connecting them to the geothermal system.
Long-Term Benefits
Though the initial investment is significant, NMC expects the system to pay for itself in the long term. Kierczynski predicts a payback period of possibly 20 years, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, which could reimburse 30-50% of the project cost. “This system is built to last for decades. I call this a once-in-a-lifetime investment, because I think we’re going to continue to see rewards from this system for the next 75 years,” he adds.
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