Ball State University dedicates geothermal system
From: American School and University Published on Student Resources in Context on March 21, 2012
Link: http://go.galegroup.com/ps/retrieve.do?sgHitCountType=None&sort=DA-SORT&inPS=true&prodId=GPS&userGroupName=hatterslib&tabID=T003&searchId=R5&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&contentSegment=&searchType=BasicSearchForm¤tPosition=14&contentSet=GALE%7CA283778591&&docId=GALE|A283778591&docType=GALE&role=SUIC
Picture Link: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/geothermal/
Summary: Ball State University is starting to use geothermal energy to cool and heat all of the buildings on their campus. This new form of energy could save them about $2 million dollars annualy after it is fully installed. It will become the largest geothermal system in the U.S. after it's completion. Currently, $20 million is still needed to complete this project for the 660-acre campus. It will require a total of 3,600 boreholes to be drilled in order to get to the heat beneath the Earth used for geothermal heating/cooling. To heat the buildings, heat will be removed from fluids in the Earth's crust. For cooling, heat will be pumpd out of the buildings and back into the Earth.
Opinion/Reflection: I think that this is a great idea for the university. Saving money will help them fund important things at the school. Also, they are becoming eco-friendly by switching to this cleaner form of energy. The huge investment that they are making with this geothermal energy system will be well worth it in the future. Personally, I always look for ways to save money and energy like they are doing at Ball State, so I can really connect to what they are doing, even though their savings are on a much larger scale.
Questions:
1. What do you think of Ball State's plan to switch to geothermal energy?
2. Do you think the size of their project is practical? Why or why not?
3. What would be a better alternative to geothermal energy for Ball State? Explain.
Opinion/Reflection: I think that this is a worthwhile project because of the many advantages it has. Geothermal energy in general does not use any fuel and creates no pollution. This type of energy does not take up much space either, due to the small power stations. Even though this project, like many, takes money to make money, after a couple decades the savings will add up and can be used for funding of other important projects. With all of the pollutants that are being produced daily I think that it is great that they are cutting back. With the lack of ways to save energy at home, since unplugging electrical appliances does not compare to the usage in factories and such, the process has to be started in larger facilities. Universities all over the country are trying to cut back on the amount of fossil fuels used when creating energy such as the University of Iowa. http://www.facilities.uiowa.edu/uem/renewable-energy/
ReplyDeleteAnswer: I personally believe that Ball State’s idea to switch to geothermal energy is a smart one. Even though there are some hazardous gases that can be difficult to dispose of, once that problem is solved the disadvantages are unheard of. Geothermal energy is renewable as well since the source is from the hot rocks underground and steam.
Questions:
1.Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages? If so why or why not?
2.What are some ways that the hazardous gases can be disposed of?
3.Should many universities turn to this type of alternative energy? Why or why not?
Opinion/Reflection: I believe that it is great that the school has found an alternative to use other than fuel. Also that it creates no pollution makes it even better. In a few years I feel that the University will have all of the money that they need to pay off what they owe for getting this.
ReplyDeleteQuestion:
1. What do you think of Ball State's plan to switch to geothermal?
I believe that it is something good because how it doesn't cause any pollution and it would save them money in the long run.
Opinion/Reflection: This sounds like a very interesting and unique method of regulation temperatures on campus. It does limit pollution on the earth, and a large campus like that would surely benefit the environment by making such a green switch. It is also in the schools best interest to switch. As Kelly said, the school's investment will pay itself back tenfold in the next decade or two. However, I am curious to see how effective a geothermal energy system would be at cooling down campus buildings. I know from my experiences in the hot summer that inside my house the upper floors are hotter then the lower floors. Heat travelling upwards is a well known fact. It is quite possible to bring heat out of the earth, but forcing it back down seems to propose a serious challenge.
ReplyDeleteQuestion:
2. I'm not sure how difficult it would be to power an entire campus through geothermal energy. It certainty can't be easy. The daunting task of spreading these stations among 660 acres must be overwhelming. Spreading these stations in practical areas is going to create numerous problems.