The University of Rhode Island is moving forward with a major geothermal initiative that will support its new Ocean Frontiers Building on the Narragansett Bay Campus, marking a significant step in the institution’s broader efforts to reduce carbon emissions and expand its renewable energy infrastructure.
The project is part of a long-term plan to modernize the Bay Campus and replace the 55-year-old Horn Laboratory with a state-of-the-art facility designed for environmentally controlled research environments. The geothermal system will provide heating and cooling for the new building and is projected to reduce energy use by 30 to 60 percent for heating and up to 50 percent for cooling. Lower utility costs and minimal maintenance requirements are expected to help the system pay for itself within 5 to 10 years.
Conversations about adopting geothermal technology began internally in March 2024. URI commissioned the drilling of an 850-foot test well to assess the geological feasibility and long-term value of implementing such a system across the campus. The drilling and testing took place between March 3 and March 5, supported by a $100,000 grant from PPL Corporation. The majority of the cost stemmed from mobilizing the drill rig and meeting environmental and safety guidelines. And additional engineering, analysis, and reporting made up the remainder of the project budget. The investigation was led by Christopher Baxter, a professor of ocean engineering and chair of URI’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
The geothermal testing required specialized drilling methods, including mud-to-air techniques that adapt to shifting subsurface conditions, such as clay layers and bedrock. Crews also worked through access challenges caused by narrow roads, steep elevation changes, and heavy pedestrian traffic near the quad. To reach the drill location, teams coordinated access through the Ocean Robotics Laboratory construction site. Strict environmental protections were enforced to prevent spoils generated by drilling from entering the stormwater system or the surrounding bay.
The test results indicated that the subsurface geology is well-suited for geothermal energy production, providing the thermal conductivity and drilling conditions necessary to support a large-scale system. With these findings, URI plans to proceed with installing the geothermal infrastructure for the Ocean Frontiers Building, scheduled to open in Fall 2028. The system’s design could eventually be expanded to support other facilities on the Bay Campus, including the Ocean Science and Exploration Center, the Watkins Laboratory, and the Ocean Robotics Laboratory.
The initiative also aligns with a growing partnership between URI and PPL Corporation, which launched a collaboration in 2024 to accelerate research into renewable energy, grid decarbonization, carbon capture, nuclear advancements, offshore technologies, and related areas. The relationship includes both research support and student-focused programs.
When completed, the Ocean Frontiers Building will serve researchers in the Graduate School of Oceanography and provide new office, laboratory, and instructional space designed to meet evolving scientific needs.
KEY QUOTES:
“Geothermal systems reduce reliance on fossil fuels, lower greenhouse gas emissions, stimulate the green economy, and provide long term savings related to operating and lifecycle replacement costs.”
“Access to the site was difficult due to the small width of the roadways and steep elevation changes at the east side of the quad. Additionally, there is heavy pedestrian traffic in the vicinity, with people making their way across the campus. The only feasible access for the drill rig was through the Ocean Robotics Laboratory construction site, which required another level of coordination with the contractor and project manager.”
“The results of the investigation were that the geology possesses excellent thermal conductivity characteristics and good drilling conditions, yielding a high rate of production, making it feasible to design and implement a geothermal system at this location.”
Seth Pilotte, Construction Projects Manager, Narragansett Bay Campus
“Our partnership with PPL enabled us to perform the necessary geothermal research and testing. With support from URI leadership, we are now able to install an HVAC system that will provide an excellent return on investment and savings on operational costs, while also helping the University reduce its environmental impact.”
David Palazzetti, Senior Director, URI Facilities Operations
