The first federal courthouse was constructed more than a century ago in the middle of Butte, Montana. Historic but still standing today as the Mike Mansfield Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse.
For over a century, this building has relied on conventional systems to provide warmth during Butte’s cold winter months.
Beneath downtown Butte is where an innovative concept is evolving.
Planners previously explored an innovative concept: using heated water flowing through abandoned mine workings to help heat the historic courthouse.
Solar panels located atop the building will provide electricity to operate equipment that transports heated water throughout the proposed geothermal system.
A century-old courthouse may soon draw heat from underground
The Mike Mansfield Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse is going under a massive modernization project. The administration states the goal of the modernization project is to increase safety, accessibility, operating efficiency, and the overall performance of the building for many years to come.
At the same time, the project aims to maintain the integrity of the building’s historic character.
Seismic retrofitting, roof replacement, fire-safety improvements, and accessibility modifications are included in the modernization project. The work also includes replacing major components of existing building systems. Among them are upgrades to heating, ventilation, air-conditioning (HVAC), electrical, and piping systems.
The history of mining created an unexpected possibility underneath the city streets.
During several generations, water accumulated in abandoned underground mine workings throughout the area surrounding Butte. Rather than view the water as a byproduct of mining, planners began exploring whether it could become part of the courthouse’s future energy system.
The old mine network may gain a completely different purpose
One of several projects funded through the U.S. Department of Energy through its “Assisting Federal Facilities with Energy Conservation Technologies” program focuses on the Butte courthouse. The courthouse modernization project itself is being overseen by the U.S. General Services Administration.
The project explores a geothermal energy system utilizing water from abandoned mine infrastructure. Under the proposal, water from abandoned mine workings would serve as a renewable heat source for the courthouse.
If implemented, this system would represent a significant departure from typical building heating systems. Rather than generate heat itself, this project would extract heat already stored underground via heat pump technology.
Using water already present beneath the city as an energy source represents an unusual approach to obtaining thermal energy.
The original purpose of the underground networks was for mineral extraction. More than 100 years after those networks were developed, they could potentially help support a federal courthouse.
However, the courthouse could obtain energy from resources generated by Butte’s historic mining activities.
Butte’s past may help preserve one of its oldest buildings
While utilizing mine water is a key element of this proposal, there are plans for additional energy production capabilities. Solar generation on rooftops can aid in powering equipment associated with the geothermal system pumps and ancillary devices.
One resides upon the roof. The other lies underground.
Collectively, these two energy sources have the potential to lower energy consumption. They could also help modernize a building that has existed in Butte since 1903.
The total cost of this modernization project should add approximately 50 years to the operational lifespan of the courthouse and lower annual maintenance costs.
Most of the transformation will remain out of sight
To passersby who see the historic stone building daily, relatively little appears different. A great deal of the work involved in this modernization project relates to systems located behind walls, beneath streets, or extremely deep underground.
However, what may prove to be among the most fascinating elements of change occurring beneath downtown Butte is water accumulating in abandoned mines.
That same water could be used to heat a courthouse that is now more than 120 years old. In doing so, it could create an unexpected connection between Butte’s past and future.
Read the whole thing?
Get the week's signal, not the noise
Our sharpest reporting on energy, climate and nature — free, once a week.
