Geothermal and ground energy
The natural heat held within the ground represents a resilient and reliable source of low carbon energy.
Arup provides a full range of services related to both shallow and deep geothermal engineering. We provide due diligence on potential transactions and full design services. We also support environmental and social impact assessments and provide regulatory engagement.
We provide policy support to the governments of the UK, Indonesia, and Singapore on developing and accelerating growth in geothermal energy. We have contributed to guidance documents for both shallow and deep geothermal engineering best practice. We have also published our work in leading journals such as Science Advances.
We have helped our clients to successful outcomes, ranging from a $1.2 billion USD investment into EDC, the largest geothermal company in the world, to the first geothermal power project in the UK (United Downs), to the first geothermal heat plant by Johnson & Johnson Global (at their Janssen Pharmaceutica campus in Belgium).
Kroon Hall, the LEED Platinum home of Yale University’s School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, was designed to be a model for sustainability, in support of the school’s mission. Arup’s scope for this non-laboratory academic facility included structural, mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering; acoustic consulting; and lighting design.
The building makes extensive use of geothermal energy. Four geothermal wells heat and cool the building, with conventional utility power available for emergency back-up.
Kroon Hall’s geothermal system is much larger than most. Four 500m (1,639ft) standing column wells reach down to bedrock, where water temperatures hover around 13 degrees Celsius (55 degrees Fahrenheit). Groundwater is pumped up and its thermal energy extracted, then intensified by ground-source heat pumps. Once the water has performed its heating (or, in summer, cooling) function, it is returned to the same wells.
Get in touch with our team
Explore
Discover more of our expertise:
Projects
View all ground engineering and geotechnics projects:
First hillside solar plant in the Philippines
Cayanga Hillside Solar Farm, Philippines
Preserving Brunel’s iconic railway for future generations
Parson's Tunnel Rockfall Shelter, UK
A modern landmark to rejuvenate a traditional industrial area
Commercial development at 98 How Ming Street, Hong Kong
Expanding a hospital in the ‘medical city of Asia’
Island hospital expansion Penang, Malaysia
Ground engineering
As a recognised leader in ground engineering, Arup is often asked to push the essential skill and science of designing and building in the ground. Wherever difficult ground conditions, sensitive environments or ambitious projects present geotechnical challenges, we are able to help.