Wawasee Mulls Initial Investment in Geothermal Wells
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Jordan Fouts-
Last month the board began looking at installing geothermal wells under Wawasee Middle School, an approximately $1 million project to save on heating and cooling costs. Schools Superintendant Tom Edington said Tuesday that, as a first step, a test well will need to be drilled at a cost of a little less than $10,000.
The test well will be used to gauge temperature changes underground and determine the number and location of vertical heat pumps that could be installed. The test well could be converted into a regular heat pump if the school decides to proceed with the project, Edington told the board.
He remarked that it's a “chicken or the egg” scenario, essentially drilling a hole to find out if it's viable to drill more holes.
Board members said they like the idea of the geothermal system, which they heard last month would save $25,000 to $40,000 in energy costs and which they noted have found a foothold in Indiana, with installations at a Fort Wayne-area school and Ball State University. Members said they just want more information before rushing into a decision.
But there is a rush, with the deadline to use a federal stimulus grant coming in September. If they greenlight the wells at the April 10 meeting, they'll have to call project supervisor Performance Services Inc. the next day.
Members also have to weigh geothermal wells against wind turbines, which they began looking into in 2010.
Board Secretary Rebecca Linnemeier said wells would be more consistent and not at the mercy of the wind, while board member Mary Lou Dixon noted Wawasee has already invested in a viability study for wind power.
The Wind Turbine Study Committee will have its first meeting of the year April 24, at 5 p.m. at the high school. The school board may have a special meeting after that and weigh the two options.
Members may also visit Haverhill Elementary School in the Southwest Allen County district, which uses a geothermal system.[[In-content Ad]]
Last month the board began looking at installing geothermal wells under Wawasee Middle School, an approximately $1 million project to save on heating and cooling costs. Schools Superintendant Tom Edington said Tuesday that, as a first step, a test well will need to be drilled at a cost of a little less than $10,000.
The test well will be used to gauge temperature changes underground and determine the number and location of vertical heat pumps that could be installed. The test well could be converted into a regular heat pump if the school decides to proceed with the project, Edington told the board.
He remarked that it's a “chicken or the egg” scenario, essentially drilling a hole to find out if it's viable to drill more holes.
Board members said they like the idea of the geothermal system, which they heard last month would save $25,000 to $40,000 in energy costs and which they noted have found a foothold in Indiana, with installations at a Fort Wayne-area school and Ball State University. Members said they just want more information before rushing into a decision.
But there is a rush, with the deadline to use a federal stimulus grant coming in September. If they greenlight the wells at the April 10 meeting, they'll have to call project supervisor Performance Services Inc. the next day.
Members also have to weigh geothermal wells against wind turbines, which they began looking into in 2010.
Board Secretary Rebecca Linnemeier said wells would be more consistent and not at the mercy of the wind, while board member Mary Lou Dixon noted Wawasee has already invested in a viability study for wind power.
The Wind Turbine Study Committee will have its first meeting of the year April 24, at 5 p.m. at the high school. The school board may have a special meeting after that and weigh the two options.
Members may also visit Haverhill Elementary School in the Southwest Allen County district, which uses a geothermal system.[[In-content Ad]]
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