Geothermal Initiative, Bronx Library Center

An absolutely fantastic green project in Chelsea. It seems like Manhattan's unique geography would encourage similar systems in more buildings. I'm curious about them - maybe they're highly location-dependent, even in a place like Manhattan? I have no idea, but I'm really intrigued. Geothermal heat pump systems make use of the constant temperature of the earth below the surface level. During the winter months, when the subsurface is warmer than the air above ground, the system transfers heat upward. During summer months, when the air is warmer than the subsurface, the heat is transferred down. Geothermal systems are inexpensive to operate and maintain, require no exposed outdoor equipment, and make a minimal impact on the environment. Because of the savings afforded by the new system, construction costs will be offset in just nine years-a very short period for an institution chartered by General Convention in 1817. From the tenth year forward, the Seminary will enjoy a net savings in its operating budget. According to Maureen Burnley, Executive Vice President for Finance and Operations, "The Seminary's geothermal initiative is an integral part of our overall plan of improving the physical fabric of our campus while reducing operating costs. It is also very much in keeping with the kind of stewardship recommended by our General Convention. We believe GTS is helping to lead the way in the use of renewable energy sources." Project architect Yetsuh Frank, RA, LEED AP, of Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners LLP, explained that the Seminary is planning to build a "field" of 22 standing column wells installed beneath the sidewalks surrounding the campus. These wells will take advantage of Manhattan's geology by tapping the ground water that flows through the seams and fractures of the island's bedrock. A steel casing runs from the surface down to the bedrock. From there, an unlined bore hole, eight inches in diameter, is drilled to a depth of 1,500 feet. (The height of the Empire State Building, to the top of its lightning rod, is 1,453 feet.) Ground water, which maintains a temperature of about 55 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, is pumped out of the bore hole into a cellar mechanical room, where a heat-pump system either transfers heat to it during the warm months or pulls heat from it in cold weather. The water is then returned to the standing wells, where it loses any acquired heat to the ground water and to the cold stone bore holes. The Seminary's system will provide 850 tons of cooling to 260,000 square feet of buildings. Beyer Blinder Belle estimates will create the single largest geothermal well field in the New York City area. The Bronx Library Center is New York City's first public LEED-certified building, and was awarded a silver rating this past week. Its architects are longstanding advocates for sustainability, and are also working on other projects in connection with New York City's green building movement. Dattner Architects is currently developing the Green Design Guidelines for the New York City School Construction Authority in response to the recent enactment of Local Law 86 by the New York City Council, which will require New York City's public projects to achieve a LEED® rating of Certified or Silver, or to achieve higher levels of environmental performance than city or state code requires.