Energy Management

Facilities Management Building
411 Pioneer Drive
Rochester, MI 48309-4482
(location map)

Geothermal Heat Pump Systems (Ground Source)

Human Health Building - 400 ton Geothermal / Solar Thermal Project

The Fall 2013 semester saw the opening of Oakland University's first green building project, the geothermal / solar thermal Human Health Science Building.  The HHB is Oakland's first geothermal heat pump installation, and it will include an innovative desiccant cooling system powered by one of the largest solar thermal energy system in the U.S.  The project will be using a newer form of technology, Variable Refrigerant Flow heat pumps.  These heat pumps use variable speed compressors and serve multiple refrigerant zones per unit.  OU was awarded a $2.75M U.S. Department of Energy grant to help fund this innovative green building concept.

Click here for the US DOE grant information.           Overview PRESENTATION to ASHRAE in June 2013

Click here for a CONSTRUCTION video of the bore hole drilling.     Click here for information on sustainable architecture and design.