(296e) Techno-Economic Analysis of Geothermal District Heating System for West Virginia University – Morgantown Campus

This comprehensive study explores the feasibility of converting West Virginia University's (WVU) Morgantown campus from its current steam-based heating system to a geothermal deep direct-use district heating system. The campus is strategically located within a region of elevated heat flows in northcentral West Virginia, as identified by the Low-temperature Geothermal Play Fairway Analysis of the Appalachian Basin (GPFA-AB). This location presents a unique combination of critical factors necessary for developing a geothermal system in the eastern United States. The research approach integrates both surface and subsurface analyses to evaluate the technical and economic viability of this conversion.

Campus energy demand assessments, based on equipment surveys and steam meter readings, indicate hot water usage ranging from 10,000 to 12,000 gallons per minute (GPM). For buildings lacking existing data, the Department of Energy's e-Quest simulation tool was used to estimate monthly energy usage patterns. A thorough evaluation of the existing heating and cooling infrastructure, including air handling units (AHUs) and heat exchangers, was performed to assess compatibility with hot water systems. The retrofitting potential was specifically analyzed for one building, covering modifications to air handling units, pumps, valves, and expansion tanks, with estimated costs of approximately $130,000. To optimize the hot water distribution system, preliminary models were developed using ASPEN HYSYS, incorporating key components such as heat pumps and geothermal plate heat exchangers. The design targets a hot water distribution temperature of 200°F. Both standard and cascade hot water distribution models are being compared to identify the most energy-efficient configuration for implementation. The results suggest that while the project requires a significant upfront investment in infrastructure changes, it appears to be technically feasible. This research shows considerable advancements in assessing the feasibility of converting West Virginia University's Morgantown campus from a steam-based heating system to a geothermal deep direct-use district heating system. The campus's advantageous position in an area with high heat flow in northcentral West Virginia makes it an excellent candidate for this innovative solution.

The subsurface analysis builds upon data collected from the 2023 drilling of the MIP 1S well, including logs, sidewall cores, and drilling records. This information provided the foundation for constructing a comprehensive 3D reservoir model. By integrating offset data from neighboring wells, the model was expanded to include critical rock properties and calibrated using data from formation injection and diagnostic fracture injection tests. The Utica Formation's potential as a heat reservoir was thoroughly examined alongside various geothermal system configurations. The CMG-STARS 3D reservoir model simulated complex heat and fluid flow dynamics in highly fractured systems using multi-continua approaches. This facilitated the identification of optimal configurations for geothermal systems in the Appalachian basin. Configurations evaluated included Deep Closed Loop Single Well and Enhanced Geothermal Systems, enabling detailed comparison and sensitivity analyses.

However, the Deep Closed Loop Single Well configuration showed limited capabilities in terms of temperature production capacity, heat drainage radius, and temperature sustainability over a 30-year production forecast. This limitation became especially evident when considering the extremely high-water rate demand of over 100,000 bbl/day, where the system struggled to maintain consistent heat production. Similarly, conventional Enhanced Geothermal Systems, characterized by short lateral lengths ~6400 ft and stimulation designs involving 16 to 21 stages, also demonstrated limited capacity to support the required flow rates to meet such high demands. In contrast, the optimized Enhanced Geothermal Systems, capable of supporting +100,000 bbl/day of hot water production, were achieved with longer lateral lengths, extensive fracturing more than 70 stages, and 5-6 clusters per stage. This design significantly enhanced the system's ability to sustain high flow rates and temperatures, making it a more reliable and sustainable option for large-scale geothermal energy production in the region.

This integrated approach assesses the technical feasibility of converting WVU's heating system and provides valuable insights for optimizing geothermal system implementations in similar geological settings throughout the eastern United States. Thus, it contributes to broader sustainability goals and enhanced energy efficiency.

Acknowledgment: This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. DOE’s Office of EERE under the GTO, under Award Number DE- EE0009597.

References:

1. Yerravally, S. K., Means, K., Lemasters, D., Palanki, S., and Garapati, N.: Techno Feasibility Analysis for steam-to-hot Water Conversion for West Virginia University, Morgantown Campus, PROCEEDINGS, 50th Workshop on Geothermal Reservoir Engineering Stanford University, Stanford, California, February 10-12, 2025, SGP-TR-229, 2025.
2. Iyegbekedo, I. B., Yerravally, S. K., Fathi, E., and Garapati, N.: Sub-surface Analysis for Geothermal Hot Water System for Morgantown, West Virginia, PROCEEDINGS, 50th Workshop on Geothermal Reservoir Engineering Stanford University, Stanford, California, February 10-12, 2025, SGP-TR-229, 2025.