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City Buildings and Operations /

City Buildings Powered by Geothermal Energy

Image: Arlington Hills Community Center

Progress

On time
  • Not started
  • Planning
  • In process
  • Continuous
The City of Saint Paul is committed to expanding the use of renewable energy as it works toward achieving carbon neutrality in municipal operations by 2030. The city is utilizing geothermal energy, when applicable, for low-carbon and energy-efficient heating and cooling at municipal buildings.

Back in 2014, the City installed its first geothermal system at the Arlington Hills Community Center.

Geothermal Energy at Arlington Hills Community Center

To provide cooling at the 41,000 square foot facility, a geothermal heat pump loop serves three air handling units and three rooftop units with direct expansion (DX) cooling. A geothermal loop provides heat to 21 heat pumps, variable air volume systems (VAVs) are equipped with electric reheat, and an electric boiler provides supplemental heat to the loop.

The City of Saint Paul also incorporated geothermal energy systems into the designs for the new North End Community Center and Wakan Tipi Center.

North End Community Center Geothermal Field Installation

During 2024-2025, the City will be constructing a hydro-geothermal system for the Primates and Polar Bear Buildings at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory to remove those buildings from a centralized gas-powered steam boiler system.

Image

Drill site for geothermal wells at Como Zoo.

Timeline

Continuous

Responsible organizations

Climate Plan Key

Category

Contact persons

  • Cecilia Govrik
    Energy Coordinator
    City of Saint Paul
Information updated 04/10/2025