New Mexico State University Campus geothermal demonstration project

Technical Report · Sun Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1984

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6837604· OSTI ID:6837604

Cuniff, R A; Fisher, K P; Chintawongvanich, P

This report presents the design, construction highlights, and performance of the New Mexico State University Campus Geothermal Demonstration Project at Las Cruces, New Mexico. Construction started in July 1981, first system use was January 1982, and the system was dedicated on April 21, 1982. Included herein are summary observations after two years of use. The geothermal hot water from New Mexico State University wells is used to heat potable water, which in turn provides 83 percent of the domestic hot water on the New Mexico State University campus, as well as space heat to two buildings, and for two heated swimming pools. The original system is providing service to 30 total buildings, with two additional buildings (150,000 square feet) in process of geothermal conversion.) The system overall performance has been excellent, except for geothermal well pump problems. In terms of operating efficiency, the system has exceeded the design parameters. In spite of abnormally high costs for well and pump repairs, the system has shown a positive cost avoidance of more than $118,000 for the first year of operation. For the first two full years of operation, the system has produced a net positive cost avoidance of more than $200,000. Payback on the total investment of $1,670,000 is projected to be 6 to 10 years, depending on the future prices of natural gas and electricity.

• Research Organization: New Mexico State Univ., Las Cruces (USA). Physical Science Lab.
• DOE Contract Number: FC07-80ID12137
• OSTI ID: 6837604
• Report Number(s): DOE/ID/12137-T1; ON: DE84013698
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
151000* -- Geothermal Energy-- Direct Energy Utilization
BUILDINGS
COST
EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES
FEDERAL REGION VI
GEOTHERMAL HEATING
GEOTHERMAL SPACE HEATING
GEOTHERMAL WATER HEATING
Geothermal Legacy
HEATING
HOT WATER
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MAINTENANCE
NEW MEXICO
NORTH AMERICA
OPERATION
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PAYBACK PERIOD
SCHOOL BUILDINGS
SPACE HEATING
SURFACE WATERS
SWIMMING POOLS
USA
WATER
WATER HEATING