Design of New Geothermal System for St. Patricks’s Cathedral
PWGC collaborated in the design of a new geothermal HVAC system for St. Patrick’s Cathedral with the Client/Owner’s architect, and representative. Based on an initial feasibility study, a geothermal plant option compared to a new traditional system would save over 25% of the annual energy costs, and would be more compact & virtually invisible to the public. The Client/Owner selected the geothermal option, consistent with Pope Francis’ vision of preservation and responsible stewardship of our planet. PWGC and Landmark Facilities Group (LFG) designed the 10-well system as well as the reversible chillers and the new chilled and hot water piping distribution system. The interface between the two firms’ work is a series of plate-frame heat exchangers on a geothermal manifold in the plant. PWGC and LFG collaborated on the well capacity needed to meet the cathedral’s heating and cooling demand annually and into the future.