Boise as a Model for Geothermal District Heating in Rico: Unlocking Local Benefits
Rico’s geothermal reservoir could provide an exciting opportunity to harness geothermal resources for sustainable heating solutions. Last December, during our community brunch presentation at town hall, Rico’s own Kevin Kitz shared his expertise about geothermal systems, providing examples of successful implementations like Boise, Idaho to demonstrate how geothermal district heating could transform Rico’s energy landscape, create local jobs, reduce costs, and promote environmental sustainability.
Boise’s geothermal legacy: A blueprint for Rico
Boise, Idaho is a pioneering example of geothermal district heating in the United States. Operating for over 130 years, Boise has developed four different geothermal heating districts that serve several million square feet of buildings, including the state capitol. The city’s geothermal water emerges from the ground at 170-190°F, primarily due to radioactive decay in the granitic basement rocks, an underground process that naturally heats water over time.
Boise geothermal district examples
One of the lessons from Boise’s success is that geothermal systems can be expanded gradually. Starting with a single district, Boise has grown its geothermal infrastructure, demonstrating that community-wide geothermal heating is feasible with strategic planning.
Takeaways for Rico:
Multiple interconnected geothermal districts provide heating for large urban areas.
Groundwater is re-injected after use to sustain the reservoir.
The geothermal water temperature and reservoir management are crucial; too much or too little injection can impact sustainability.
The city’s experience shows that geothermal districts can operate reliably for decades, providing continuous, renewable heat.
Grand Junction: Geothermal success at Colorado Mesa University
Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction has implemented a geothermal heat pump system that has successfully reduced its energy demand by 1 megawatt (MW). This approach uses ambient geothermal heat, which is more cost-effective and easier to install, especially for smaller-scale applications.
Colorado Mesa University’s “Ambient Loop”
Reducing energy demand not only saves money but also alleviates strain on the electrical grid, an important consideration as load growth increases. For context, building a 1 MW power plant can cost between $2-5 million. By lowering overall energy demand, communities can avoid expensive infrastructure investments and lower electricity costs for consumers.
Implications for Rico:
Deploying geothermal heat pumps can significantly decrease the town’s reliance on imported electricity.
For every electric heater replaced with a geothermal system, Rico could save on energy costs and reduce grid stress.
Ground source heat pumps remain efficient even in cold weather, making them ideal for mountain towns like Rico.
Moving toward a community thermal energy network in Rico
Inspired by Boise and other examples, Rico could develop a natural geothermal-augmented thermal energy network (TEN) to provide renewable heating and cooling for the town.
Rico’s potential community thermal energy network (TEN)
This approach would be similar to the community TEN model used in Framingham, Massachusetts where the system serves cooling needs. Rico’s TEN would likely use circulating warm water in a closed-loop system along with heating pumps to heat homes and buildings. With heat pumps, Rico’s TEN could efficiently serve multiple buildings with smaller flow rates, making it an economical solution.
A highly conceptual diagram of a heat-pump based district energy system for Rico
Another consideration is that installing a TEN in Rico could reduce the cost of a sewer upgrade. The trenching done for the geothermal project could be used to lay sewer pipe at the same time, reducing the cost of the sewer project by up to 70%, as shown in the image below.
How a community TEN in Rico could reduce the cost of a sewer upgrade
Geothermal system benefits for Rico
Implementing geothermal district heating and a community TEN offers Rico numerous advantages:
Cost savings: Heating costs could decrease by 25-80%.
Environmental impact: Reduced reliance on fossil fuels leads to cleaner air and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Job creation: Unlike gigafactories that only bring temporary construction jobs, geothermal projects can generate local employment in installation, maintenance, and system management, supporting the local economy.
Enhanced resilience: Ground source systems are less affected by outdoor temperatures, ensuring reliable heating even during cold Colorado winters.
Supporting economic growth: Lower energy costs and increased local employment can boost overall economic activity in Rico.
Moving forward: Incentives and policy support
For Rico, federal and state incentives for renewable energy projects may further reduce upfront costs, making geothermal development more accessible. By leveraging these programs, Rico can accelerate its transition to a sustainable, resilient energy system.
Rico has a unique opportunity to follow in Boise’s footsteps by adopting geothermal district heating. This transition could deliver cost savings and environmental benefits, along with the creation of local jobs that strengthen our community fabric. With careful planning, community engagement, and by leveraging successful models from other towns, Rico can become an exemplar of energy independence for mountain towns.
Curious to learn more about geothermal possibilities for Rico?
Don’t miss our community update — The Rico Geothermal Project Heats Up — on Sunday, July 20 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at The Enterprise. Experts will share results from a months’ long study including a geologic mapping presentation. Plus, we’ll have music, pizza, and Patagonia raffle giveaways. Come with an appetite and good questions!
