2RW provided a comprehensive campus-wide facilities assessment and geothermal feasibility study to support Sweet Briar College’s goals for long-term sustainability, system resiliency, and preservation of its historic campus. The study included evaluations of the central steam plant and 34 campus buildings, including 18 listed on the National Register of Historic Places, along with assessments of campus utilities such as electrical, heating water and steam, chilled water, and telecom distribution. Using these findings and the College’s guiding principles, 2RW developed multiple geothermal system options—none dependent on fossil fuels—to improve efficiency, reduce maintenance, and support future campus growth while preserving historic character. The study also identified the need for electrical utility upgrades to fully enable geothermal implementation, which the College is now pursuing as a secondary project.
2RW conducted an initial facilities condition assessment of the central steam plant and the 34 buildings it serves, of which 18 are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 2RW evaluated the condition of the existing infrastructure, incoming utilities, and central equipment for each building. 2RW also performed an analysis of campus central utilities, including electrical, heating water/steam, chilled water, and telecom distribution.
2RW considered the College’s guiding principles, including preserving and maintaining the campus’s historical character; promoting the health, safety, and well-being of all occupants; and supporting the College’s commitment to innovation and sustainability. 2RW applied the information gathered from the facilities condition report and the assessment of the current central plant, and provided two primary options for replacing the central steam system with geothermal systems: a distributed geothermal system and a centralized geothermal system. A third option, a hybrid geothermal system, combined aspects of the aforementioned systems as appropriate, based on the existing site layout and power infrastructure limitations.
All system options are independent of fossil fuels and, when operated properly, can increase system efficiency by using the ground for heat transfer rather than traditional boilers and chillers. The geothermal system options also reduce maintenance by consolidating equipment and provide flexibility to support the addition of new buildings and the College’s overall growth while preserving the campus’s historic landscape.
2RW identified that a campus electrical utility distribution upgrade is recommended to better support the geothermal systems and eliminate the use of fossil fuels. This is being performed as a secondary project and will help expand the geothermal options after completion.
