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GS Connect Rescue provides options for both critical and non-critical situations when an existing borefield is experiencing temperature drift. In a non-critical situation, Greensleeves will monitor the system for 12 months to determine the cause of the problem, and then propose the best solution. With a critical borefield, Greensleeves will provide the best solution, based on the information available, within 30 days. Greensleeves’ GS Connect Rescue products are case specific. Your borefield issues are unique; why should your solution be any different?

Geothermal Systems Get a Tax Break 

Guess who helped make the installation of geothermal systems more affordable?  The federal government! In January 2018, the Federal Government extended the federal tax credits to 2021, effectively reducing the costs associated with geothermal systems. (Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018).  

As with the previous legislation that expired in 2016, there is a 10% tax credit for commercial geothermal systems.  Bonus – the tax credit also applies retroactively for 2017 installations and includes a five-year accelerated depreciation schedule for commercial geothermal applications. Plus, these federal tax incentives are in addition to any state incentives.

Like all renewable energy sources, initial capital expense has slowed the universal adoption of geothermal energy. However, with the extension of these tax incentives, geothermal systems are more affordable than ever. 

These tax credits allow a commercial building owner to get back 10% of the cost of any geothermal system.  This includes systems, installed or in progress between 2017 and 2021. This “in progress” language makes a significant difference. This means you can start a project late in any year through 2021, and even though it may not be operational by year end, it will still qualify for the tax credits. 

Additionally, for qualified geothermal systems placed in service after September 2017 and before 2023, 100% of the asset can be expended in the year it is placed in service. Geothermal systems placed into service between 2023 and 2026 are subject to a five-year decreasing accelerated depreciation schedule based on the year it is placed in service (80%, 60%, 40%, 20%). 

Tax credits and accelerated depreciation make the best sustainable energy even better.

Making Dollars and Sense 

District energy systems can help communities reduce their heating and cooling costs and keep more energy dollars in the community.

How does it work? Essentially, a geothermal district energy loop is installed in the ground near multiple buildings. This loop supplies heating and cooling to all of the buildings connected to the district energy system. These systems are able to capitalize on the diversity of loads within any given district. For example, the heat rejected by an office building due to internal heat gains can be used to heat a residential building. Therefore, district loops use energy more efficiently as existing heat can be transferred to where it is needed as opposed to generating new heat.

In addition to a geothermal district system’s unsurpassed reliability, efficiency, and convenience, it provides reduced life-cycle costs, lower energy bills, and reduced capital expenditures.

Because these district loops utilize geothermal energy, they significantly reduce the environmental impact from heating and cooling.

Geothermal district energy systems are the very foundation of reliable onsite sustainable energy and should be the design of choice for communities of the future.

In the Loop with Geothermal Energy 

Geothermal energy uses the heat below the earth’s surface to heat and cool homes, businesses, school districts and whole towns with an efficient source of free and clean energy. By harnessing the consistent underground temperature, a geothermal system can provide users with continuous and cost effective heating and cooling. 

How does geothermal work? 

Most geothermal systems utilize a closed-loop system configuration.  In this type of system, water, with or without an environmentally-friendly anti-freeze mixture, circulates through the loop transferring the consistent ground temperature to the building for heating and cooling purposes. 

Other geothermal systems utilize an open-loop system configuration that requires a reliable water source. 

There are two basic types of open-loop systems: surface water systems and groundwater systems. 

Surface Water Systems 

Surface water systems can employ various water sources – oceans, lakes, ponds or stream/rivers. These systems typically employ an “isolating” heat exchanger between the wource water and the system water loop and provide exceptional performance at very attractive costs. Due to environmental considerations, open-loop geothermal surface water systems are uncommon.

Groundwater Systems 

An open-loop groundwater system presents a viable alternative to a closed-loop or surface water system.  With these systems, the water is pumped from the ground water source to the heat pumps where it is used for heating and cooling. Open-loop groundwater systems can employ an extraction well and re-injection well or discharge water directly through surface drainage. 

It is important to research the local environmental regulations and codes to determine the most efficient and effective geothermal heat pump source for your property. For example, before installing an open-loop system, determine through the authority having jurisdiction if there an sufficient water resources available to supply your geothermal heat pump system without depleting or contaminating the water source.

If these criteria are met, you can take full advantage of very cost effective and efficient open-loop geothermal system.

GS Connect RTC uses reactive building controls to ensure that the system is operating according to the original design parameters.  These reactive controls function based on predetermined temperature set points throughout the year.  When RTC senses that the given set points will not be reached, it instructs the auxiliary equipment to run to bring the system within original design parameters.

RTC simultaneously reduces energy consumption and maintains the temperature health of the borefield. It reduces the entering water temperature in the heat pumps resulting in reduced compressor energy usage and increased lifespan of the equipment. Additionally, these reduced temperatures help keep the borefield healthy by maintaining the temperature within the original design.

Climate change is real, just look at the trends. Weather events have dropped feet of snow and
extended the winter season in some regions. Flooding rains and wildfires have paralyzed
communities, while the number of named hurricanes and their severity have increased.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) warns that climate change is
happening now. With every degree risen above the global average temperature, we can expect
to see a loss of sea ice, accelerated sea level rise, and longer and more intense heat waves. Also,
we will see an increase in more extreme weather, including droughts, and more destructive
hurricanes.

The International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) forecast a temperature rise of 2.5 to 10
degrees Fahrenheit over the next century. If we do not work to mitigate our greenhouse gas
emissions, catastrophic consequences may doom the future of our planet.

CO2 is a greenhouse gas that enters the atmosphere through burning fossil fuels, ultimately
leading to global warming. The irony – the increase in temperatures affects our society’s energy
needs. If the generation of electricity is the single largest source of CO2 emissions in the U.S.
(Power Scorecard), we are essentially fueling the greenhouse effect every time we turn on our
air conditioner.

Finding the Best Energy Source
Using geothermal heating and cooling can help reduce our CO2 emissions by using energy more
efficiently. Buildings account for nearly 40% of all the CO2 emissions is the United States. [2]
Using geothermal energy could reduce a building’s annual heating bill and energy usage by 50 –
70%.

Utilizing a geothermal heat pump during the cooling season can be two times more efficient than
the most efficient air-cooled heat pump units. Therefore, by using a more efficient means to heat
and cool (geothermal) our buildings, we can dramatically reduce our CO2 emissions and help
reduce future devastating consequences.

Investing in the Future

You can reduce the production of greenhouse gasses even further by utilizing Greensleeves
technology in your geothermal application. Greensleeves technology operates geothermal
systems at peak efficiencies. By using predictive and intelligent controls, Greensleeves is able to
optimize the energy and minimize the amount of carbon emissions a building would otherwise
generate.

To protect the environment, we need to employ renewable, cleaner resources. The statistics and
the thermometer don’t lie. Climate change isn’t just global warming. It’s a global warning.

[1] https://climate.nasa.gov/effects
[2] EIA Annual Energy Outlook
[3] http://www.mgea.ca/index.aspx