ABOVE, BELOW AND AROUND


FIGURE 1 GEOTHERMAL LOOP


This diagram demonstrates how a closed-loop geothermal system, like the one installed at IAAAP, works. In a vertical system such as this one, the vertical loops connect with horizontal pipes, and the system connects to the heat pump in the building. Iowa’s vertical system required 117 holes, or wells, 182 feet deep. (SOURCE: U.S. Department of Energy)


Tooele also installed solar walls on 11 buildings to provide heat. In contrast to solar cells, which absorb high ultravio- let rays from the sun and convert them into electricity, solar-wall air heating sys- tems consist of perforated, corrugated metal sheets that warm when exposed to sunlight. A thermostat within the solar wall connects to a fan, programmed to activate at 65 degrees, which draws air through the perforations in the metal and sends heated or cooled air into the build- ings, depending on the season.


Since it became operational on all build- ings


in March 2010, “the solar-wall


air heating system has saved the depot approximately


$153,000 annually, in


comparison with the use of fossil fuels,” said Royal Rice, Tooele’s energy manager.


“Te solar wall project reduces Tooele’s dependence on fuel oil, natural gas, pro- pane and electricity.”


HARVESTING ENERGY IN IOWA Another JMC installation, the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant (IAAAP) in Burlington, developed geothermal and photovoltaic systems at its administra- tion building. IAAAP received funding for this project through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act’s stimu- lus program. Congress awarded $1.46 million to convert the building’s cooling system to a more energy-efficient one.


UP FROM THE EARTH


Pipes coming from the underground geothermal system lead to the heating and cooling systems inside the administration building at IAAAP. By using geothermal energy, which is generated and stored in the Earth, the system reduces consumption of conventional energy sources. (Photo by Linda K. Loebach, JMC Public Affairs)


Geothermal refers to using the properties of the earth for either heating or cooling. In some cases, the earth can be a heat sink, storing solar heat from the summer for use in the winter; in others, near vol- canic activity, it can be a direct source of heat; in still others, it can be used much like a wine cave by tapping into the natu- rally cool and constant temperatures of the ground below the frost line. Tis last option is the case with IAAAP, where the


46 Army AL&T Magazine January–March 2015


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