Borehole Field Linear Feet
284,000 ft
568 vertical wells @ 500 ft
5G Ambient Loop Flow Rate
3,744 GPM
Bidirectional uninsulated loop @ 12°F ΔT
Shared Thermal Energy
32.4%
Direct heat sharing + 3,942 MWh waste heat
Annual Operating Savings
$418,200/yr
Simple Payback: 6.8 Years
💡 5th Generation District Energy (5GDHC) Engineering Insights
Why does 5GDHC use uninsulated bidirectional ambient water loops?
Unlike 3rd/4th generation steam or high-temperature hot water systems that lose 15%–30% of their heat during distribution, 5G loops circulate water at ground ambient temperatures (55°F to 80°F). Heat loss to the soil is negligible or beneficial, completely eliminating expensive pre-insulated piping while allowing raw HDPE pipe to function as an extended auxiliary ground heat exchanger.
How does simultaneous heating and cooling create 'Free' thermal energy?
In mixed-use districts, data centers, labs, and commercial offices reject heat into the ambient loop while residential and healthcare buildings simultaneously absorb heat for space and domestic water heating. The loop directly transfers thermal energy between buildings without cycling through the ground borefield, maximizing overall coefficient of performance (system COP > 6.0).
What are the IRA Section 48 ITC qualification rules for commercial geothermal?
Under the Inflation Reduction Act, geothermal ground loop heat pumps qualify for a baseline 30% Investment Tax Credit (ITC) if prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements are satisfied. Projects meeting domestic content thresholds gain an extra +10%, and projects located in designated energy communities gain another +10%, yielding up to 50% direct tax credit or direct pay (Section 6417) for non-profits and municipalities.