Installation of Maximum Energy Efficiency Building Research Laboratory Geothermal System (3618X)CX(s) Applied: B5.1Date: 01/06/2011Location(s): Oak Ridge, TennesseeOffice(s): Environmental Management, Oak Ridge Office
Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance
January 6, 2011
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CX(s) Applied: B5.1
Date: 01/06/2011
Location(s): Oak Ridge, Tennessee
Office(s): Environmental Management, Oak Ridge Office
The Department of Energy (DOE) Oak Ridge Office proposes to install a geothermal heat pump system for the proposed Maximum Energy Efficiency Building Research Laboratory (MAXLAB) that is planned to be constructed at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The geothermal heat pump system has been proposed for the new building to meet the DOE requirement for building energy efficiency of 30 percent better than the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers requirements. The proposed action would involve installing a 60-ton closed loop geothermal cooling system that would include an intermediate biodegradable propylene glycol heat exchange medium running through piping buried vertically in the ground at the proposed MAXLAB site.