Earth Source Heat | Cornell University

Earth Source Heat: Creating carbon neutral, deep geothermal heating systems

Earth Source Heat (ESH) is Cornell's version of a deep geothermal system that would use the Earth's internal heat to warm the Ithaca campus without the use of fossil fuels. The project is a research collaboration across several academic departments along with campus facilities staff, and it is a major component of the university's goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2035. If viable, ESH could also become a scalable solution for renewable heating in New York and in cold-climate regions across the globe.

Cornell scientists are committed to studying and addressing both benefits and risks in a thorough and transparent manner, developing best practices that will minimize risk and provide guidance for others who might implement this technology.

Cornell University Borehole Observatory (CUBO)

Members of the project team provided regular updates during drilling for the Cornell University Borehole Observatory (CUBO).
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In summer 2022, the university drilled a nearly two-mile deep exploratory borehole, funded by a $7.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, that has enabled researchers to further explore subsurface rock conditions and heat output. Since then, experts at CUBO have shared periodic updates on the preliminary geology and engineering findings. From the initial drilling to summer 2024, scientists shared more than a dozen publications and presentations informed by CUBO or the ESH project. If ESH is determined as safe and viable, the project will proceed with a demonstration well pair.

Project Photos

Researchers analyze and categorize cuttings from the borehole (July 21, 2022)

CUBO mud logger, Juliette Torres (CALS '23) takes samples of rock chips from the drill site for geological evaluation. (July 7, 2022)

                          CUBO mud logger, Juliette Torres (CALS '23) takes samples of rock chips from the drill site for geological evaluation. (July 7, 2022)
                        

Rock samples from the drill site will be classified, studied, and archived. (July 7, 2022)

                          Rock samples from the drill site will be classified, studied, and archived. (July 7, 2022)
                        

A sample of rock and mud from the borehole ready to be studied and cataloged. (July 7, 2022)

                          A sample of rock and mud from the borehole ready to be studied and cataloged. (July 7, 2022)
                        

A member of the project team reviews data from the CUBO drilling operation to help track the progress of drilling through the different rock layers. (July 7, 2022)

                          A member of the project team reviews data from the CUBO drilling operation to help track the progress of drilling through the different rock layers. (July 7, 2022)
                        

CUBO mud logger, Madeline Fresonke (ENG '23) takes samples of rock chips from the drilling mud at the drill site. (July 7, 2022)

                          CUBO mud logger, Madeline Fresonke (ENG '23) takes samples of rock chips from the drilling mud at the drill site. (July 7, 2022)
                        

Geoff Abers, Chair, Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, examines seismic monitoring equipment near the borehole site. (July 7, 2022)

                          Geoff Abers, Chair, Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, examines seismic monitoring equipment near the borehole site. (July 7, 2022)
                        

The rig platform during drilling, with extra sections of drill pipe ready to be attached as the hole gets deeper.

                          The rig platform during drilling, with extra sections of drill pipe ready to be attached as the hole gets deeper. The electric rig is powered by the transformer located on the truck trailer to the right of the rig. Blue tanks in the back hold water for mixing drilling mud (June 30, 2022).
                        

Almost 8,000 feet of steel well casing sits in the lot next to the drill rig, waiting to be installed.

                          Almost 8,000 feet of steel well casing sits in the lot next to the drill rig, waiting to be installed. The blue silos to the left hold cement powder to mix the cement that will seal around the well casing after it is lowered into the well (June 30, 2022).
                        

Shakers separate the rock chips (drill cuttings) from the drilling mud. The cuttings are then discharged into a container for disposal at a landfill (June 30, 2022).

                          Shakers separate the rock chips (drill cuttings) from the drilling mud. The cuttings are then discharged into a container for disposal at a landfill (June 30, 2022).
                        

The tower portion of the rig, known as a derrick or mast, is raised on June 17, 2022.

                          The tower portion of the rig, known as a derrick or mast, is raised. (June 17, 2022)
                        

The 144’ tall derrick is shown fully raised on the CUBO drill rig on June 17, 2022.

                          The 144’ tall derrick is shown fully raised on the CUBO drill rig. (June 17, 2022)
                        

Equipment is being set up on the Cornell University Borehole Observatory (CUBO) site.

                          Equipment is being set up on the Cornell University Borehole Observatory (CUBO) site. (June 10, 2022)
                        

The Cornell University Borehole Observatory (CUBO) drill site. (June 10, 2022)

George Scheid, Capuano Engineering Company, the drilling site supervisor explains the drilling process to Lynden Archer, the Joseph Silbert Dean of Engineering, Bert Bland, associate vice president for energy and sustainability, and Bill Nye ’77 on June 10, 2022.

                          George Scheid, Capuano Engineering Company, the drilling site supervisor explains the drilling process to Lynden Archer, the Joseph Silbert Dean of Engineering, Bert Bland, associate vice president for energy and sustainability, and Bill Nye ’77 on June 10, 2022.
                        

Lynden Archer, the Joseph Silbert Dean of Engineering and Bill Nye ’77, discuss CUBO on June 10, 2022.

                          Lynden Archer, the Joseph Silbert Dean of Engineering and Bill Nye ’77, discuss CUBO on June 10, 2022.
                        

While members of the project team and others gather nearby, a golden shovel and auger rest in the earth during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Cornell University Borehole Observatory (CUBO).

                          While members of the project team and others gather nearby, a golden shovel and auger rest in the earth during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Cornell University Borehole Observatory (CUBO). (April 8, 2022)
                        

Jeff Tester, David Croll Sesquicentennial Fellow and professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering; Rick Burgess, vice president for facilities and campus services; and Lynden Archer, the Joseph Silbert Dean of Engineering, pose for a photo during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Cornell University Borehole Observatory (CUBO).

                          Jeff Tester, David Croll Sesquicentennial Fellow and professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering; Rick Burgess, vice president for facilities and campus services; and Lynden Archer, the Joseph Silbert Dean of Engineering, pose for a photo during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Cornell University Borehole Observatory (CUBO). (April 8, 2022)
                        

Earth Source Heat: Creating carbon neutral, deep geothermal heating systems

Cornell University Borehole Observatory (CUBO)

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