Services
Geothermal
We are leaders in geothermal planning, design, and implementation
Salas O’Brien provides expertise, leadership, and support to plan, design, and implement geothermal and ground source heat exchange systems that achieve exceptional operational cost savings and carbon emissions reductions.
Heating, cooling, and powering the built environment accounts for 30% of the planet’s greenhouse gas emissions. Salas O’Brien’s energy usage leadership results in tangible benefits to our clients and the environment. To date, we have completed 400 geothermal projects, providing over 84,000 tons of system capacity.
Ground source-based heating and cooling systems draw and reject heat from the earth’s constant temperature while recovering energy wasted by conventional sources. When combined with thermal storage technologies, the resulting system efficiency can be as much as a 70% improvement over conventional systems.
Reliable, resilient systems designed by Salas O’Brien’s geothermal experts provide the basis for building heating system electrification and are the heart of many district energy initiatives.
Geothermal Projects
What we can offer
From initial consultation to full specification and construction facilitation, we offer a complete array of design services, including the development of advanced and often groundbreaking solutions when conventional approaches can’t deliver quality results.
Contact our geothermal teamFeasibility, master planning, and climate-related planning
Salas O’Brien provides different scenarios, quantifying the costs, benefits, and risks of each option, so that clients can optimize their investments and reduce their environmental impact.
Energy modeling, greenhouse gas accounting, and life cycle cost analysis
Salas O’Brien can simulate the energy performance of a building or system to identify opportunities for energy efficiency improvements. We quantify and report the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that are produced by a facility or organization, and can evaluate the total costs of a system or facility over its entire lifespan, including the costs associated with maintenance, operation, and disposal.
Utility thermal energy networks
Salas O’Brien designs and supports utility thermal energy networks that connect multiple buildings to a centralized heating and cooling system. These networks improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and provide long-term flexibility for growing campuses and communities.
Geo-X systems and thermal energy storage design
Salas O’Brien specializes in geothermal energy for heating and cooling, where heat pumps are used to extract and distribute heat from the earth. The system can also be designed to store excess thermal energy, which can offset peak demand periods, resulting in increased energy efficiency and cost savings.
Central energy plant and utilities distribution system analysis and design
Energy and utilities play in the operation of any facility, and Salas O’Brien’s team of experts is dedicated to optimizing the performance and efficiency of these systems.
Owner-assistance for geothermal grants and incentives
Salas O’Brien helps clients take advantage of available funding from government agencies, utilities, and incentive programs. We identify opportunities and support the application process. With policies and programs changing quickly, we stay current so your projects can move forward with added support.
Alternative funding
Salas O’Brien provides owner-assistance in grant and incentive programs from federal, state, and local agencies, and utility companies.
Commissioning
Salas O’Brien provides commissioning services to verify that a new or retrofitted system is installed and functioning properly according to the design intent and specifications.
