Denver Museum of Nature & Science Partners with Swedish Experts on Geothermal System Development
The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is taking a bold step toward sustainability by exploring a cutting-edge geothermal heating and cooling system, backed by a $250,000 grant from the Colorado Energy Office. This initiative aims to reduce the Museum’s reliance on natural gas steam boilers while slashing CO2 emissions and enhancing local air quality.
Innovative Approach to Energy Efficiency
In partnership with Swedish heat pump specialists Qvantum, the Museum plans to design a “low-temperature grid” or “ambient loop.” This system leverages both small and large heat pumps to create an interconnected network that transfers thermal energy throughout the building.
“The really smart part is that we use existing system infrastructure to make the project much more viable,” says Michael Moggeridge, Director at Qvantum Solution Design Limited. “These heat pumps can deliver heating and cooling, with excess thermal energy from one area used in another.”
This concept, often referred to as “5th generation district heating,” is regarded as one of the most efficient methods for distributing thermal energy across diverse building types.
Harnessing the Earth’s Energy
Geothermal systems allow for interseasonal energy storage, where excess heat generated during summer can be stored underground and retrieved during winter. This technology is central to the Museum’s strategy for achieving long-term energy sustainability.
“This will enable the Museum to decarbonize our energy system, including interseasonal energy storage,” says George Sparks, CEO of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. “The Museum is deeply interested in this new technology and looks forward to potentially becoming one of the first in the U.S. to implement it.”
Expert Collaboration for Advanced Design
The spatially coordinated engineering designs will be spearheaded by BCER, supported by Qvantum’s experts, including Per Rosén, Tekn.Dr., and Jonas Ekestubbe, Head of Heat Pump System Design. Their collective experience in designing low-temperature heating and cooling systems across Europe brings world-class expertise to the project.
The partnership will also include the Museum’s internal systems team and general contractors, ensuring a seamless integration of new technology with existing infrastructure.
Setting a Sustainability Benchmark
The grant comes from Colorado Governor Jared Polis’s $7.7 million geothermal energy award program aimed at promoting clean energy innovation. The Denver Museum of Nature & Science’s pursuit of a geothermal heating and cooling system places it at the forefront of sustainability initiatives in the U.S. cultural sector.
By integrating geothermal technology, the Museum could serve as a model for other institutions seeking sustainable energy solutions, contributing to a broader movement toward reducing carbon footprints across the industry.
About the Denver Museum of Nature & Science
As the leading science education resource in the Rocky Mountain region, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science offers dynamic educational programs supported in part by the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District. The Museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, reflecting its commitment to excellence and innovation.
This ambitious project could redefine energy management in cultural institutions, showcasing the transformative potential of geothermal technology when combined with expert collaboration and forward-thinking leadership.
