Skip to main content

Smith College taps Geothermal Energy to meet it's Energy needs

 "Smith College Embraces Sustainability: A Geothermal Revolution Powers Campus"



In a pioneering move towards a sustainable future, Smith College has undergone a remarkable transformation by exclusively adopting geothermal energy to power its campus. This strategic shift away from fossil fuels is a testament to the college's commitment to environmental responsibility and signifies a monumental leap in the pursuit of clean energy solutions.


### Tapping into Earth's Inner Heat


Smith College's decision to rely solely on geothermal energy revolves around the utilization of the Earth's natural heat reservoirs. By harnessing the energy stored beneath the surface, the campus is now able to meet its electricity and heating demands in an environmentally friendly manner. Geothermal energy is a renewable source that produces minimal greenhouse gas emissions, making it a sustainable alternative to traditional power sources.


### Underground Sustainability: How Geothermal Works


Geothermal energy systems work by capturing the Earth's heat through a network of underground pipes. These pipes circulate a fluid that absorbs the heat and transfers it to the surface, where it can be used to generate electricity or for heating purposes. Smith College's geothermal infrastructure seamlessly integrates with the campus's existing energy grid, providing a reliable and consistent source of power.


### Environmental Benefits and Carbon Footprint Reduction


The adoption of geothermal energy brings multifaceted environmental benefits to Smith College. Unlike fossil fuels, geothermal energy produces minimal air pollutants and has a significantly lower carbon footprint. This transition aligns with global efforts to combat climate change and sets a remarkable example for other educational institutions aiming to reduce their environmental impact.


### A Campus-Wide Commitment


Smith College's geothermal initiative extends beyond energy production to encompass a holistic commitment to sustainability. The campus has implemented energy-efficient practices and embraced green building designs to optimize the geothermal system's performance. This integrated approach ensures that the college not only minimizes its environmental impact but also operates efficiently and responsibly.


### Inspiring a Geothermal Movement


By exclusively adopting geothermal energy, Smith College positions itself as a trailblazer in sustainable campus solutions. The success of this initiative serves as an inspiration for other educational institutions to explore and implement geothermal solutions, paving the way for a broader movement towards cleaner, more responsible energy choices.


In summary, Smith College's embrace of geothermal energy marks a significant milestone in the realm of sustainability. The college's commitment to harnessing the Earth's natural heat not only powers its campus efficiently but also serves as a beacon for others to follow in the quest for a greener, more sustainable future.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Hot Topics

"Steam, Scandals, and Stalled Megawatts: KenGen’s Court Battle Over Olkaria VII Consultancy"

Power, Politics, and Procurement: Inside KenGen’s Legal Battle Over Olkaria VII Geothermal Consultancy By  Robert Buluma In a dramatic twist that’s shaken Kenya’s energy sector, the Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) is locked in a legal showdown over the consultancy tender for its highly anticipated Olkaria VII geothermal power plant. The project, aimed at injecting 80 megawatts of clean energy into the national grid, now faces turbulence—not from the underground steam chambers of Hell’s Gate, but from boardrooms and courtrooms. 🔍 What’s the Fuss About? At the heart of this high-stakes battle is a €18.16 million consultancy tender awarded to Italy’s ELC Electroconsult SPA . The catch? Their bid was over Sh200 million higher than that of the next technically qualified firm. The Public Procurement Administrative Review Board (PPARB), Kenya’s watchdog for public tenders, wasn’t impressed. In a June 2025 ruling, PPARB annulled the award, citing procedural irregularities, ...
Post a Comment
Read more

🔥 Geothermal Gold Beneath the Lion City: Singapore Uncovers Surprising Heat Power in Sembawang

When you think of Singapore, what comes to mind? Skyscrapers. Tech. Food. Green innovation. But now, add one more surprising trait to the list: geothermal powerhouse . By:  Robert Buluma That’s right beneath the city-state’s highly urbanized northern district lies a blazing opportunity that could redefine Singapore’s energy story. In a recent announcement that’s set the clean energy world abuzz, scientists from NTU Singapore and TUMCREATE revealed astonishing findings from a joint geothermal drilling project. At just 1.76 km underground in Sembawang , temperatures have soared to a jaw-dropping 122°C —a record-breaker for the region, and far higher than the 70°C earlier recorded at a shallower depth in Admiralty. This isn't just hot news. It’s a revolutionary discovery that could reshape how one of the world's most densely populated nations powers its future. 🌋 A Hidden Furnace Below the Urban Jungle This project—backed by Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) and th...
Post a Comment
Read more

Teverra Powers Up Rico: A $200K Boost to Colorado’s Geothermal Future

By Robert Buluma | Alphaxioms Blog | July 8, 2025 From Fossil Fuels to the Earth’s Furnace—Rico is Rising Nestled in the mountainous beauty of southwest Colorado, the historic town of Rico is about to become a shining example of how geothermal innovation can power a resilient, carbon-free future. Thanks to a $200,000 grant from the Colorado Energy Office, awarded under the state’s groundbreaking Geothermal Energy Grant Program, Teverra is setting the stage for a transformative shift in how rural communities heat their homes. 🔥 A Groundbreaking Project with Groundbreaking Heat Teverra, headquartered in Atlanta, is no stranger to subsurface energy innovation. But the Rico Heat Network Project might just be one of its most impactful endeavors yet. The company plans to deploy cutting-edge subsurface analysis, thermal modeling, and engineering expertise to develop a direct-use geothermal system that will sustainably heat and cool buildings across the town. This isn’t just a pilot—it’s a pr...
Post a Comment
Read more

Nevis Ignites Caribbean Energy Future with Landmark Geothermal Drilling Bids

🌋 Nevis Powers Forward: A Quantum Leap in Geothermal Energy Development By Robert Buluma | July 9, 2025 In a move hailed as a monumental step toward clean energy independence, Nevis has officially reached a historic milestone in its geothermal energy journey. With the recent opening of global tenders for the drilling of five major geothermal wells, the island is now closer than ever to realizing its ambition of sustainable, baseload geothermal power. Premier Hon. Mark Brantley, speaking during the July 3 sitting of the Nevis Island Assembly, described the development as a “quantum leap forward” — and rightly so. For a project that has been years in the making, the recent submission of bids by some of the world’s largest and most respected drilling companies signals a bold new chapter in Caribbean energy innovation. 🌍 Five Global Giants Enter the Ring Bids have been officially submitted by five world-renowned companies: Iceland Drilling Company (Iceland) Marriott Drilling (UK...
Post a Comment
Read more

Kenya Taps Deep Earth Power: 22MW Steam Breakthrough at Silali Sparks Geothermal Surge

🔋 Kenya Powers Forward: 1,065MW Green Boost from Silali Geothermal Field By:  Robert Buluma Kenya’s journey toward a clean energy future just got a massive boost  and it’s coming straight from the earth’s core. In a stunning breakthrough, the Geothermal Development Company (GDC) has unlocked a high-capacity steam well at the Silali geothermal field in Baringo , delivering a rare yield of 22 megawatts (MW) — equivalent to four conventional wells combined. This discovery is a beacon of progress, pointing to a promising energy-rich future for Kenya. The Silali field is part of the Baringo-Silali-Paka geothermal block , a volcanic-rich zone that has been under active drilling for the last seven years. Alongside the Paka and Korosi fields, this region has proven to be a powerhouse of underground steam reserves. GDC is now targeting 300MW from this cluster, distributing 100MW from each of the three geothermal fields. Already, 75MW of steam has been harnessed, and the company p...
Post a Comment
Read more

Kamchatka’s Geothermal Surge: RusHydro and Zarubezhneft Join Forces to Power Russia’s Green Future

Russia is making a bold move toward renewable energy independence with a groundbreaking partnership between RusHydro and Zarubezhneft, two of the country’s energy giants.  By:  Robert Buluma This strategic alliance has resulted in RusHydro acquiring a controlling 51% stake in Geotermalnaya Energetika , a subsidiary of Zarubezhneft that oversees renewable energy projects. The crown jewel of this venture? The construction of Mutnovskaya GeoPP-2 , a 66.5 MW geothermal power plant set in the geologically rich region of Kamchatka. This milestone isn’t just another investment—it’s a calculated response to Kamchatka’s growing energy needs. With electricity demand in the region’s Central Energy District (CER) projected to soar to 1.85 billion kWh and 315 MW by 2030, authorities anticipate a looming power shortfall of up to 31 MW. To bridge this gap, RusHydro and Zarubezhneft plan to deploy a binary-cycle geothermal system at Mutnovskaya GeoPP-2, which promises over 90% capacity utili...
Post a Comment
Read more

🌋 A Geothermal Dawn for Texas: Presidio’s 110-Megawatt Leap into the Future

Presidio, Texas – A quiet border town has just made a thunderous statement on the global stage of renewable energy. On May 22, the Presidio Municipal Development District (PMDD) and Exceed Geo Energy signed a groundbreaking  By:  Robert Buluma 110-megawatt geothermal power purchase agreement term sheet —a monumental move set to redefine the economic destiny of Presidio County. The deal was inked during the inaugural “Presidio Vision 2035” student competition, and it is already being hailed as the most consequential economic development initiative in the region’s modern history. With electricity output far exceeding current local demand, the project is poised to energize not just homes—but industries, data centers, manufacturing hubs, and high-value agricultural processing plants. “We’re not just powering lights—we’re powering futures,” said John T. Kennedy , PMDD Executive Director. “This geothermal commitment lays the foundation for transformative growth that will chan...
Post a Comment
Read more

Halliburton and GeoFrame Energy Join Forces to Power America’s Green Lithium Future

June 1, 2025, Houston – In a groundbreaking leap toward energy sustainability, two industry giants  Halliburton and GeoFrame Energy  have officially teamed up to unlock the untapped potential of green lithium extraction from geothermal brine in East Texas' Smackover Formation . This is not just another contract. It is a technological pivot and a symbol of energy transformation , blending geothermal expertise, innovative Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE), and a vision of clean energy independence for the United States. ⚙️ A Lithium Revolution Buried Beneath Our Feet Under this contract, Halliburton will design and construct the first phase of demonstration wells , laying the groundwork for a major lithium production project. Work begins in late 2025 , and this could mark a seismic shift in America’s push for domestic battery-grade lithium carbonate . Why is this so crucial? Because lithium is the heartbeat of clean tech — powering electric vehicles, grid-scale batteries,...
Post a Comment
Read more

PGEO's Geothermal Ambition Ignites: Lumut Balai Unit 2 Nears Full Power by June 2025

PGEO's Geothermal Ambition Ignites: Lumut Balai Unit 2 Nears Full Power by June 2025 By  Alphaxioms | June 18, 2025 In the heart of Sumatra’s steamy rainforest, a silent revolution is unfolding one that doesn't spew smoke or roar with turbines, but hums with the promise of a greener tomorrow. PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy Tbk (PGEO) is racing against time to power up its PLTP Lumut Balai Unit 2 , and with the first successful synchronization to PLN’s grid, the countdown to full commercial operation by June 2025 has officially begun. ⚡ The Beginning of a Brighter, Cleaner Era On June 16, 2025, PGEO achieved a crucial milestone: initial synchronization of Lumut Balai Unit 2 at 10% capacity (around 5.5 MW) of its total 55 MW output. What may sound like a small step was, in fact, the spark igniting a larger geothermal ambition. This step not only marks the start of transmitting electricity into the national grid, but it is also a powerful symbol of Indonesia’s forward march t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Exergy, Baseload Sighn LOI For Kopsvatn Geothermal Plant In Iceland

Revolutionizing Geothermal Energy: Exergy Partners with Baseload Power Iceland to Transform Kopsvatn  By: Robert Buluma Image: Baseload Iceland,C.E.O Marta Ros Karlsdottir and Exergy's Luca Pozzoni shake hands upon signing of the LOI , Image source Exergy on LinkedIn In a groundbreaking development for geothermal energy, Exergy has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Baseload Power Iceland to supply two Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) units for the Kopsvatn geothermal power plant in Flúðir, Iceland. This partnership signifies a monumental leap in the utilization of small-scale binary systems that combine heat and power, paving the way for a global revolution in sustainable energy production.    A Milestone in Small-Scale Geothermal Innovation   The Kopsvatn geothermal power plant project embodies innovation at its finest. By integrating Exergy’s state-of-the-art ORC technology with Baseload Power Iceland’s strategic vision, this collaboration underscores the i...
Post a Comment
Read more