Daniel Robison of Indiana Public Broadcasting reported extensively on Ball State's geothermal initiative, which is the nation's largest of its kind. Click below to listen to his two-part story. Stories courtesy of Indiana Public Radio.  Going geothermal, aired by Indiana Public Radio: Part 1 Going Geothermal, aired by Indiana Public Radio: Part 2

With a tradition of innovation, Ball State is revolutionary and responsible. In our next bold step, we will create the nation’s largest closed geothermal energy system, benefiting both the economy and the environment. Phase 1 is nearing completion, and the startup of the new system has begun.

Going geothermal is having an immediate impact. It creates construction jobs, and manufacturers of supplies are seeing a boost in production.

Groundbreaking of our geothermal system.

Once fully implemented, this pioneering project will save the university $2 million a year in operating costs and replace four aging coal-fired boilers. Cutting our carbon footprint roughly in half, this full-scale university-wide system will heat and cool 47 buildings.

To create the system, Ball State will have approximately 3,600 boreholes drilled in borehole fields around campus, but you won’t notice them after construction is complete. Each borehole will be covered and the area restored to its previous use, retaining campus beauty. Learn more about how geothermal energy works.

View a graphic illustration of our geothermal piping map.

Geothermal technology is only one example of our longtime commitment to the environment. Our Council on the Environment, the longest-standing green committee in Indiana higher education, won U.S. Senator Richard Lugar’s August 2007 Energy Patriot Award. And we welcomed Lugar back to campus on May 9, 2009. After speaking at Commencement, he participated in the groundbreaking ceremony by controlling a drilling machine that created the first borehole. View our photo gallery of this historic day on campus.