EPFL aims to provide an environment for radical learning and co-creation of meaningful solutions. To do so, an expansion of the Innovation Park is planned for 2026, featuring the Ecotope. For this project, timber-glass façades have been designed to contribute a lively environment, spurinteraction, and foster exchange and innovation. Solar panels and geothermal boreholes are planned as means to respond to the energy needs of this forward-thinking project. The geothermal boreholes will specifically meet the heating and cooling needs of the new buildings. For this project, GEOEG analyzed an extended thermal response test (e-TRT) performed on one of the geothermal boreholes. A dynamic 3-D numerical model was created to thoroughly quantify the thermal properties of the local geology. This analysis served as the basis to design the field of geothermal boreholes, providing local and renewable energy to EPFL.
project summary
m of geothermal borehole