With a goal of continuing to transition from fossil fuel based mechanical and domestic hot water systems, Phillips Exeter Academy (PEA) hired RFS to perform a geothermal master plan and energy study to determine the sizing and configuration requirements for future geothermal wellfield infrastructure within their central campus. Having already completed multiple standalone geothermal system designs on campus, RFS analyzed the potential for geothermal wells throughout available open space while maintaining adequate distance from existing utility infrastructure and important landscape elements.
Using available design and/or as-built documentation, energy models were developed for each facility to calculate peak block loads and hourly consumption profiles for a typical operating year. This data provides a basis for determining the potential wellfield quantity for each unique configuration of building groupings or open space as well as the magnitude of carbon emissions savings relative to traditional campus heating and cooling system typologies and fuel sources. Load balance and long term temperature drift of the wellfield was also simulated for the various options that were considered to ensure the long term performance and reliability of each design option.
The schematic design recommendation is to phase in an additional 80 500-foot double u-bend wells to the Academy Lawn site where an existing 49 400-foot single u-bend wells are already in operation. The main distribution infrastructure and manifolds were originally designed with future expansion in mind and is part of the reason the Academy Lawn became the focus out of four potential sites. By utilizing double u-bend wells the capacity per well increases significantly. By coupling the existing wells with the new wells intended to serve separate facilities, a reduction of approximately 15-20% of the overall well count is possible due to load and system diversities alone.
Services
Mechanical
Civil
Energy
Geothermal
Metrics
80 Geothermal Wells
© 2025 Rist-Frost-Shumway Engineering