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Session Abstract

A significant element of the overall decarbonization effort at UVA hinges on the combination of heat pumps coupled with geoexchange.  Heat pump design is relatively straight forward, whereas optimum geoexchange design requires knowledge of the thermal properties for the local geology.  Guided by a detailed 1962 geological survey of Albemarle County, our eight test bores are hunting a graphitic deposit that could dramatically influence the design and cost of our geoexchange systems.  This presentation shares the outcome of the test bores thermal and geotechnical testing and the impact on the larger project design and cost.

Presenters

Paul Zmick, Director, Energy & Utilities, University of Virginia