The geothermal project — the largest capital undertaking in Smith’s history — is replacing the college’s aging fossil-fuel-fired steam heating system with an electrically-powered geothermal one. The new system — which will also provide cooling to many campus buildings in summer — will lower Smith’s carbon emissions by nearly 80%, helping the college to reach its goal of carbon neutrality by 2030.

Construction of the project, which began in May 2022, is rolling out in phases and involves digging trenches, drilling boreholes, and installing pipes to transfer heated or cooled water to three energy hubs: the North District (just completed), the Quad District (work runs through summer 2025) and the Central District (summer 2025 to summer 2028).

Attendees will visit the North District, where all buildings, comprising nearly 19 percent of the campus square footage, are being heated and cooled with Smith’s first geothermal energy system. They will visit the Capen Energy Center, which houses the mechanical systems for the geothermal energy system. They will also visit the Davis Meadow, below which there are 72 boreholes to a depth of 800’. Davis Meadow is also a landscape restoration project completed according to Smith’s landscape master plan. These landscapes are designed to increase biodiversity through a mixture of local plant species which supply food for songbirds and wildlife and sequester carbon in deep roots.

Important: You must RSVP for this tour. Review the information on the Agenda page about securing your spot for this tour.