UTA looking at hot-water heat to save money
UTA estimates it would cost $15,000 a month to heat the commuter-rail center without the help of heat from the springs. The agency had no exact estimate for how much a geothermal system would save in heating expenses but anticipated it could be thousands of dollars each year.
“We are trying to become a more sustainable organization,” said Grantley Martelly, UTA manager of safety and environmental protection. “One way is through conservation of energy and a reduction in our dependence on fossil fuels. Geothermal energy is one of the things we’re looking at.”
If the study shows that geothermal energy could, indeed, heat UTA’s maintenance center, work would begin to build a geothermal heating system. One type of heating system uses pipes in the ground to draw up water. The water would run through a heat-exchange system, then return into the ground.
The study will show what type of system works best to obtain the energy, Martelly said. The Utah Geological Survey would grant UTA permission to use the hot springs for heating.
“This is basically using energy that is available from the ground that provides or creates no emissions,” said Philip Powlick with the Utah Geological Survey. “It doesn’t deplete a resource and saves the user energy costs.”
This is great and kudos to UTA for pursuing sustainable options for running its operation.
During the past three years, UTA has been working to improve its efficiency in management and environmental practices. In April, the agency became one of the first transit agencies in the world to receive certification from the International Organization of Standardization for its environmental and management standards.
I am told that one of the challenges of geothermal would be the build up of mineral deposits on the heat exchange surfaces. One solution to address this would be to go from a closed piping heat exchanger system to an open trough heat exchanger system using removeable liners.
I am happy to see Utah in the forefront of this issue in mass transportation.
Deanna Dee-Dee Taylor 