University Research

Decarbonization Avenue University research @ CLIMAX

Tapping into Mine Water for Geothermal Energy

Objective/theme

Communities can use to explore the feasibility of using mine water for geothermal energy to heat and cool buildings.

Process & benefits

The mine water in the Keweenaw stays around 53 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. These temperatures can then be used to heat or cool buildings using simple technology: mostly pipes, heat exchangers and heat pumps.

In a geothermal heating system, the heat pump concentrates a relatively small amount of heat from the mine water, which remains much warmer than the winter outside air, into comfortable temperatures for heating a building.