Ithaca, NY District Geothermal System

GEOptimize Inc was retained by Labella Associates to complete the detailed design of a geothermal district energy system serving 44 mixed-use buildings in Ithaca, New York, including residential, office, retail, warehouse, and quick-service restaurant occupancies. The proposed network is based on an ambient loop connected to multiple open-loop geothermal sources and sinks. Using 8760 hourly building load models, GEOptimize applied TRNSYS transient simulation to evaluate peak thermal exchange, annual energy balance, and long-term system temperature stability, and to determine the optimal configuration, sizing, and placement of energy transfer assets. The analysis also assessed integration of auxiliary heating and cooling, distribution hydraulics, and control strategies to ensure reliable, efficient operation over the full lifecycle of the district system.

The scope included design of the central single-pipe ambient loop, connection details for each building and energy source, pressure-drop calculations and circulation pump sizing, and selection of auxiliary heating and cooling systems. GEOptimize produced detailed AutoCAD drawings showing system layout, header configurations, borehole and piping arrangements to the manifold, and provided specifications for heat transfer fluid and geothermal piping. The firm also developed the system control sequence, long-term management plan, and data monitoring requirements, and coordinated with Labella Associates to support interior mechanical system and heat pump selection.