Increased efficiency and sustainability with geothermal pond system

 Sustainability is one of Endress+Hauser’s core brand values and it is built into the company strategy and culture. With sustainability at the forefront, the Endress+Hauser team continuously looks for ways to improve their processes and the environment. One significant measure we took that showcases this was our LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for the expansion of our Greenwood, IN campus as well as the Pearland, TX campus. A major aspect of the Greenwood expansion was the installation of a $1.2 million geothermal pond system. The investment of the of the pond not only provides benefits to the organization but also has a significant environmental impact.

What is a geothermal system?

Geothermal heat pumps (GHPs) are heating and air conditioning systems that have been around since the 1940s.  These systems are either buried in the ground or are submerged in water to utilize the earth’s relatively constant temperatures as an exchange medium. Depending on its latitude, ground temperatures in stable environments range from around 45⁰F (7⁰C) to 75⁰F (21⁰C). In the winter, the ground temperature is usually warmer than the air above but cooler than the air above it in summer. The GHP uses these favorable temperatures to be highly efficient by exchanging the heat with the earth through a ground heat exchanger.

What kind of geothermal pond system does Endress+Hauser have?

The Greenwood campus uses a closed loop system in our 3.4-acre pond for its geothermal system. It works by circulating antifreeze through a closed loop, made of high-density plastic coils, that is submerged in water. Heat exchangers transfer heat between refrigerants in the pump and the antifreeze solution in the coils.  Currently, our system supports 40 heat pumps across our entire 100,000 sq. ft. Level and Pressure building and around 91,000 sq. ft. of our Flow manufacturing building.

What efficiencies does this create?

The pond creates numerous efficiencies and environmental benefits. Our system is rugged and long-lasting, reducing the need to replace parts. The refrigerant we use is an environmentally friendly glycol/water mixture instead of hazardous material. Inside, our system is connected to a centralized control panel that allows us to set temperatures for specific times. This allows us to reduce the energy expended by the system and reduce waste.

Overall, each aspect of the system combines to provide us several environmental benefits including:

• Use 25-50% less electricity than conventional HVAC systems
• Can reduce emissions as much as 44% compared to air-source heat pumps
• Can reduce emissions as much as 72% compared to electric resistance heating
• Quieter than conventional air systems
• Do not depend on air temperature
• The designs are flexible, and hardware often requires less space
• Provide excellence zone space conditioning

For more information on our sustainability efforts, click here!