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Publication Date

2024-5

First Advisor

Denise A. McKahn

Second Advisor

Michael Kinsinger

Document Type

Honors Project

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Engineering

Keywords

thermal energy storage, phase change materials, geothermal borehole

Abstract

Aiming to reach carbon neutrality in 2030, Smith College is transforming to geothermal energy for campus heating and cooling by replacing the aging fossil-fuel-fired steam heating system. To evaluate the potential associated with borehole drilling and heat pump installation, it is proposed to utilize thermal energy storage (TES). This thesis modeled the integration of TES into ground-source geothermal heating systems, applied sensitivity analysis on borehole parameters and design operating variables, evaluated the capital cost for a specific case at the Smith College Field House, and provided a recommended target TES cost to which future proposed TES materials can be compared. With integration of TES to shift up to 20% of the hourly peak load at the Field House, the total borehole depth L could be reduced. A maximum unit price of $ 56.5/kWh is required for any proposed TES material. Future work is recommended to conduct a life cycle cost analysis that includes the operational cost to further leverage TES by shifting the on-peak load.

Rights

©2025 Zehui Yu. Access limited to the Smith College community and other researchers while on campus. Smith College community members also may access from off-campus using a Smith College log-in. Other off-campus researchers may request a copy through Interlibrary Loan for personal use.

Language

English

Comments

ix, 49, [2] pages : color illustrations, maps. Includes bibliographical references (pages 35-38).

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