Innovative Engineering at Georgetown University: A Chilled Water Crisis Averted

In the summer of 2023, Georgetown University faced a major chilled water issue that affected multiple buildings on campus. The problem started when a new hospital building was connected to the chilled water loop, amplifying existing restrictions problems on the supply distribution lines to become unmanageable. The hospital was able to satisfy its need with booster pumps, but nearby buildings suffered from lack of chilled water. To address the issue, the university brought in temporary chillers and generators, but this intervention, costly, intrusive, and long to implement, was not solving the problem.

Anael Guillemot, an Ecosystem engineer working on a different project at Georgetown University, became involved when he heard about the chilled water issue. He met with a director from ENGIE, the operator of the campus plant, and offered to help. He was invited to witness a test of the chilled water system and noticed that one building, which should be receiving high flow and pressure due to its proximity to the chilled water plant, was receiving barely any. Anael suspected an issue with the supply line between the plant and the building, and he conducted surveys on site that confirmed his hypothesis.

He found that there were other pipes running nearby that could be used to bypass the problematic line, and he proposed this solution to ENGIE and the engineering consultants. Initially, there was skepticism about Anael’s proposal, but he was able to convince the team that it was a viable solution. ENGIE approved the plan, and Anael’s team mobilized quickly to install the new pipes. It took them four days to complete the work, and they were able to solve the chilled water problem at a very low cost and a very short time compared to the temporary chiller solution.

The solution involved reconfiguring existing piping to feed the critical parts of the campus, and the plan was to resolve the main issue (the blockage on the main line) and then put the piping back to its original configuration. This approach was both cost-effective and efficient, leveraging existing infrastructure to solve the crisis.

The financial implications of Anael’s solution were significant. The innovative bypass solution cost a fraction of the many millions of dollars that would have been spent on additional temporary chillers, which still wouldn’t have solved the underlying problem and would have had a negative impact on ENGIE’s and Georgetown’s reputation. This approach restored cooling capacity across the campus, avoiding the need for evacuations and other emergency measures that had been previously considered.

Overall, Anael’s quick thinking and willingness to get involved in a problem outside of his immediate project led to a successful solution for Georgetown University. His ability to think creatively and work collaboratively with ENGIE ensured that the problem was solved efficiently and effectively. Needless to say, Georgetown was impressed, and it reflected well on ENGIE, our partner. This strengthened our relationship and enhanced our credibility as an amazing partner for future projects as well.

Takeaways:

1. Holistic Approach: Anael looked beyond individual buildings and considered the entire campus system. Sometimes, solving symptoms isn’t enough; understanding the big picture matters.
2. Creativity: Anael’s solution was unconventional but effective. Sometimes, innovation lies in reusing what’s already available.
3. Collaboration: Anael collaborated with experts, shared insights, and built strong relationships. Teamwork and communication are crucial.