FMC – Net Zero Feasibility Study

FMC Corporation is a worldwide producer of agricultural fertilizer and chemicals. FMC has made a tremendous commitment globally to sustainability and retained Pennoni to perform a focused net zero study for their greenhouse consolidation initiative at the Newark campus. As part of this project, Pennoni’s engineers evaluated utilizing geothermal to provide 200+ tons of cooling to the S400 complex set to house the greenhouse consolidation and R&D laboratories. After completing a detailed energy model to determine future loads, Pennoni selected Water Furnace heat pumps as the “basis of design” for the geothermal project. A test well was drilled to determine the conductivity and thermal potential of the subsurface. Based on those results and calculations, the well field was designed to provide enough heat transfer to service the 200 tons of cooling required for the project.

The FMC campus had ample acreage to accommodate the large geothermal well field. To maximize the use of this well field, Pennoni also designed a ballasted, non-penetrating solar farm to be sited above the wells with no impact on operations or maintenance. The overall study also evaluated CHP, Fuel Cells, and boiler electrifications to achieve Net Zero. The final recommendation was for a combined PV array with geothermal and was based on capital costs, ROI, and reduced CO2 impacts on the site.