| Abstract |
This summary presents the construction highlights and performance of the NMSU Campus Geothermal Project at Las Cruces, New Mexico. The installed system was funded by the New Mexico Legislature and DOE under a Cooperative Agreement. Construction started in July 1981, first system use was January 1982, and the system was dedicated on April 21, 1982. Geothermal hot water from NMSU wells is used to heat potable water, which in turn provides 83 percent of the domestic hot water on the NMSU campus, as well as space hat to two buildings, and for two heated swimming pools. System overall performance has been excellent, except for geothermal well pump problems. In terms of operating efficiently, the system has exceeded design parameters. In spite of abnormally high costs for well and pump repairs, the system ahs shown a positive cost avoidance of more that $118,000 for the first year of operation |