With demolition of the Simcoe building complete, work is now underway on the Simcoe Geothermal Field and Innovation Centre at the Durham College (DC) Oshawa campus. Announced earlier this year, the project is part of the college’s ongoing transformation of its energy infrastructure to support and implement sustainably focused initiatives on campus.

Upon completion in April 2019, the geothermal field and connected heat pump house will harness 550 tons (1.9 megawatts) of clean, sustainable geothermal power to fuel the energy needs of the Gordon Willey building block.

While the underground geothermal system and connected Innovation Centre will provide environmental benefits to DC, the greater campus community will also benefit from what is above ground – a beautiful new greenspace similar to Polonsky Commons, which is also located on the Oshawa campus.

Additionally, the Simcoe Geothermal Field and Innovation Centre will create opportunities to act as living labs that provide new experiential learning opportunities. Working with knowledge partner Siemens, who is also the primary contractor for the geothermal field, students will explore green-energy technologies and careers while faculty will receive assistance in developing lessons incorporating geothermal technology into the curriculum.

New signage is now on display around the construction zone, featuring information about the geothermal field. Visit www.durhamcollege.ca/geothermal to learn more about geothermal energy as part of DC’s commitment and action to support sustainable and environmentally responsible operations.