Unique System Providing HVAC for Georgia Marines

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Andrews_Hammock_&_PowellAndrews, Hammock & Powell, an engineering firm from Macon, GA, has developed what The Telegraph says is a unique approach to HVAC. The U.S. Marines Corps Logistics Base in Albany, GA, is using the technology, which is a borehole thermal energy storage system.

The device is providing HVAC for the Marine base headquarters. The system – which the story says cost $5.1 million to develop – uses heat pumps, circulating water and pipes to store cold water gathered during winter for use when the weather gets warmer. The design took three years to develop and was the result of 35 computer models.

The system became operational in August and generated a 53 percent reduction in energy costs during its first 30 days of operation. The system will last for decades, and has a return on investment of 14 years.

The system consists of 306 boreholes that are drilled 210 feet into the ground. About 1.5 miles of fiber optic cables monitor the temperature, according to the story.

The West Aurora School Board is digging 44 to 562 boreholes, each to a depth of 400 feet, near buildings in the district. The project is part of an $84.2 million building campaign.

Environment + Energy Leader