All the Geothermal You Cannot See: Smith College’s Innovative Energy Transition
Ian Davies, Salas O'Brien
Charles Dougherty, Smith College
Beth Hooker, Smith College
Justin Nash, Bond Construction
Smith College has long been a leader in sustainability and, in particular, the push for carbon neutrality. In May 2022, Smith College broke ground on a bold geothermal campus energy project that will lower the college’s carbon emissions by nearly 80 percent, helping the college to reach its goal of carbon neutrality by 2030. This project will replace the college’s aging fossil-fuel-fired steam heating system with a state-of-the-art, electrically powered geothermal system. The new system will allow the college to reach its carbon-neutral goal almost entirely through a reduction in on-site fossil fuel combustion. The project includes 3 districts for 93 buildings with 3 energy plants and associated distribution systems. Construction started in 2022 and now the first of three districts is in operation. This discussion will address the project drivers, engineering and construction challenges with lessons learned plus the remaining schedule for implementation.
This moderated panel discussion will explore the team’s approach, with perspectives from Smith College as well as the project design engineer Salas O’Brien, and the construction manager, Bond Construction. Join us for a lively and informative session, where we will examine challenges and share lessons learned in this important, groundbreaking project.
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About Ian
Ian Davies, PE, is a Senior Mechanical Engineer with Salas O'Brien, specializing in high-efficiency, carbon-free energy systems ranging in size and complexity from individual buildings to community-scale campuses. His planning, design, and implementation experience at the district energy level includes geothermal systems for Smith College, Amherst College, Dartmouth College, Oberlin College, Princeton University, Tufts University, Wellesley College, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
About Charles
Charles "Chuck" Dougherty, Director of Mechanical Systems at Smith College, is a Massachusetts 1st Class Stationary Engineer and has over 35 years of experience in operations and management of large utility style power plants, with the last 15 years spent managing the daily operation of the Smith College Cogeneration Facility. Dougherty’s role at Smith has recently been expanded to include the safe and efficient operation of critical mechanical systems on campus including management of the newly installed campus wide geothermal heating and cooling system.
About Beth
Beth Hooker provides leadership to bridge campus operations with education and research at Smith College, as the Director of Sustainability and Administrative Director of the Center for the Environment, Ecological Design and Sustainability (CEEDS). She has extensive experience in education, providing institutional sustainability leadership at Smith, Mount Holyoke and Hampshire Colleges. Hooker has led numerous projects to promote regional resiliency, sustainable practices and clean energy technologies. She received a B.A. from Connecticut College, double majoring in chemistry and Asian studies. She earned an M.S. in soil science and a Ph.D. in ecosystems ecology from the University of Connecticut.
About Justin
Justin Nash, Senior Project Manager with Bond, has a background in electrical engineering, construction management, preconstruction, and estimating. He is a proficient electrical engineer with significant experience in renovation and upgrades to both occupied facilities, central energy plants, and energy distribution systems. Nash has over 20 years in industry with the last 5 at BOND. He holds an MBA from the University of Connecticut and is a graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point with a BS in Electrical Engineering.