Cultural

Obama Presidential Center

Chicago, Illinois

2020

Project Description

GEOptimize worked with the design team to develop an accurate hourly energy model for the 500,000 ft2 complex that includes the Museum Tower, the Forum and Library above underground parking. The project to be completed in 2026, is aiming to achieve LEED Platinum, SITES Silver, and International Living Future Institute (ILFI) Zero Energy certifications.

A vertical ground heat exchanger comprised of 160 boreholes drilled to 500’ is located under the buildings and the area surrounding the building. To avoid long-term temperature degradation in the borehole field, 800 ft2 of snow melt in front of the building entrances dissipates excess heat to the atmosphere during cooler weather.

The vertical ground heat exchanger serves as an energy source and heat sink for a modular chiller system.

Role of GEOptimize

GEOptimize Inc served as the GHX designer and hybrid system thermal modeling consultant. The firm:

Reviewed and developed hourly energy model for the building
Performed long-term thermal simulations to mitigate ground temperature drift
Designed the vertical borehole GHX layout and fusion-welded header system
Completed hydraulic modeling of the GHX
Provided heat pump and hybrid plant sizing recommendations
Reviewed tender-ready AutoCAD drawings and specifications up to the GHX manifold

GEOptimize collaborated with Altieri Engineering as Engineer of Record for the building mechanical system and P.W. Grosser as the Engineer of Record for the ground heat exchanger to provide sealed drawings for the City of Chicago.