Notre Dame is tapping energy from below the surface as it adds a third geothermal heating plant beneath Walsh Family Hall of Architecture to upgrade its system and reduce its carbon footprint on campus.
Here's what to know
WSBT reported this new plant is part of the university's update to its more than a century-old steam system and infrastructure. The new power source heats water by pulling heat from the ground, which can then be circulated around campus.
Because geothermal systems tap into the Earth's more stable underground temperatures to provide heat, they can reduce the amount of fuel needed to keep buildings warm, which cuts pollution tied to heating while also improving efficiency.
The university says its overall carbon footprint has fallen 48% since 2005.
More background
For large campuses, heating is a major operational burden. Older steam systems can do the job, but as they age, they often become more expensive and harder to maintain.
Ground-source geothermal offers a cleaner alternative because it transfers heat rather than generating all of it through combustion. That can help reduce heat-trapping pollution while supporting a steadier, more modern energy system.
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This plant is housed in a basement, showing how these kinds of upgrades can be incorporated into existing buildings and infrastructure. Projects like this can bring day-to-day benefits beyond climate progress. More efficient heating systems can help maintain reliable indoor comfort, reduce strain on older equipment, and lower operating costs that affect major institutions and the people who rely on them.
What's being done?
Notre Dame appears to be taking a phased approach rather than trying to replace everything at once. By adding geothermal plants over time and connecting them through hot water pipes, the university can gradually move away from older systems while keeping campus operations running.
Paul Kempf, Notre Dame's associate vice president for utilities and maintenance, said the university's plan is to build on the assets it already has while staying prepared to adopt new technology, per WSBT.
At Notre Dame, the basement project fits into a larger effort to keep refining campus operations. "We want to remain flexible and adapt as changes come," Kempf said.
Energy technology continues to evolve, and institutions that plan for future upgrades may be better positioned to reduce pollution, manage costs, and avoid being locked into outdated equipment for decades.
Cleaner heating is not limited to new construction. Schools, hospitals, cities, businesses, and even homeowners can all look for opportunities to replace aging systems with more efficient electric options when renovation or maintenance projects arise.
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