Large Scale GSHP as Alternative Energy for American Farmers: Technical Demonstration & Business Approach Award Number: DE-EE0002824 CX(s) Applied: A9, B5.15 Buildings Technology Office Date: 07/24/2014 Location(s): MO Office(s): Golden Field Of...
Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance
March 7, 2016
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Large Scale GSHP as Alternative Energy for American Farmers: Technical Demonstration & Business Approach
Award Number: DE-EE0002824
CX(s) Applied: A9, B5.15
Buildings Technology Office
Date: 07/24/2014
Location(s): MO
Office(s): Golden Field Office
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is proposing to provide federal funding to the University of Missouri to increase the deployment of ground source heat pumps (GSHP) through a new commercial-scale technology demonstration. DOE completed a previous NEPA review (GFO-10-307 CX A9 & B3.1 3/23/2010) authorizing a feasibility study and the engineering design for both Farms A & B. A second NEPA review (GFO-0002824-003 CX A9 & B5.1 11/8/11) authorized installation and commissioning of equipment, performance monitoring and data collection, and project management and reporting for Farm B only as well as financial partner identification and technology transfer related to both Farms A & B. These activities were carried out at Holliday Farms near Prairie Home, Missouri. After the last NEPA Determination, one of the participant farms dropped out of the program and a new location had to be chosen. For the purpose of this determination DOE will be reviewing only the new location.
The University of Missouri seeks to carry out the design, fabrication, installation, operation and monitoring of a full-scale waste heat recovery (WHR) assisted GSHP system at Eigsti Farm located at 31492 Olive Branch Rd, near Sedalia in Pettis County, MO, (38-50-58N, 93-08-01W). The proposed installation area has been previously disturbed by construction and is currently in use as a poultry farm. Four buildings (460’ X 42’) would be involved in this project, two of which would be operating WHR systems only, with the other two operating WHR-assisted GSHP systems. In a 4000 sq.ft. area on the south side of each of the WHR-assisted GSHP buildings, horizontal ground loop heat transfer piping with a 5-ton capacity would be installed approximately six feet deep. Existing vegetation would be removed prior to construction and restored upon completion of installation. No boring will be required and the installation will remain well above the water table. There would be four waste heat recovery units resting on 6’ X 8’ concrete pads at the east end of each barn and two open shelters will be constructed for the heat pumps both of which will be located within the previously disturbed area. Additional modifications to the existing structures would include the following: Curtain walls on the south side of each building would be replaced by solid or adjustable louvered walls; north and south sides would be insulated with foam spray; and ventilation fan system modifications would be performed where necessary.