NASA ARC Memo: Construction of Geothermal Wells for Building N232, Sustainability Base

Subject: Construction of Geothermal Wells for Building N232,
Sustainability Base
From: Centerwide Announcement
Date: Wednesday, February 10, 2010

TO: Resident Staff

FROM: Deborah L. Feng, Director, Center Operations

SUBJECT: Construction of Geothermal Wells for Building N232, Sustainability Base

Construction work on Building N232, Sustainability Base, is proceeding well. A large mobile crane is now on-site and steel erection will begin this week. The next step in the sustainable design is also moving ahead.

The Project will use geothermal wells located on the Moffett Field Parade Ground to circulate water for the mechanical equipment that provides heating and cooling for the building. The project will drill a total of 72 wells at the west end of the Parade Ground. Each well will be approximately 200 feet deep, and will consist of a single closed loop of 2-inch diameter pipe. The geothermal wells will not pump groundwater but will provide an important natural resource in the form of a nearly constant temperature source for the building’s heating and cooling systems.

Weather permitting, drilling of the geothermal wells will begin this week and will be completed in approximately 90 days. When the construction is complete, the Parade Ground site will be restored to current conditions, with no visible sign of the underground wells.

The geothermal wells are just one of the unique features of Sustainability Base, which was designed specifically to take advantage of its natural environment. Ames’ move into a sustainable future is taking shape.

If you have any questions regarding the geothermal wells for the N-232 facility, please e-mail Raymond Schuler at mailto:Raymond.F.Schuler@nasa.gov

If you would like to respond to this memo electronically, you may do so by clicking on the following: mailto:Raymond.F.Schuler@nasa.gov