Geothermal HVAC Systems - A Business Case Analysis for Net Zero Plus

Net Zero Plus (NZ+) is an approved Fiscal Year 2008 Joint Capability Technology Demonstration (JCTD) initiative led by the United States Army Rapid Equipping Force (REF) and the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), Defense Research and Engineering (DDR&E). The purpose of the JCTD initiative is to identify significant military needs and match them to mature technologies or technology demonstration programs, so that military needs can be more rapidly addressed. The effective implementation of the NZ+ JCTD initiative directly supports the Power Surety Task Force (PSTF) whose mission is to “coordinate Department of the Defense efforts to operationalize efficient devices, conservation practices, intelligent power management, and alternative and renewable power generation, in order to reduce the operational, economic and environmental vulnerabilities associated with the use and transportation of fossil fuels”. To achieve effectively and efficiently its overall goals, NZ+ JCTD looks into three main categories: energy supply, energy demand, and smart energy distribution. The purpose of this study is to support one of the many Net Zero Plus project initiatives. Specifically, this thesis will assist in determining whether or not it is economically advantageous to install a geothermal HVAC system in a highly-insulated monolithic dome.