Texas-based Bedrock Energy (Bedrock) has marked a significant milestone with the completion of its inaugural geothermal project at Building D of the Penn Field mixed-use office and retail campus in Austin.
Penn Field, originally developed in 1918 as a U.S. Army air base, spans approximately 228,000 square feet within Austin's South Congress Business District. Owned by Creative Media & Community Trust Corporation (CMCT), the real estate investment trust operated by CIM Group, Penn Field now stands as a beacon of sustainability thanks to Bedrock's innovative geothermal borefield and heating and cooling system.
Avi Shemesh, Co-Founder and Principal of CIM Group, expressed the significance of the partnership with Bedrock in advancing sustainability goals at Penn Field. “At Penn Field we are pursuing decarbonization of our existing buildings utilizing Bedrock Energy's innovative approach to geothermal heating and cooling systems,” Shemesh remarked, highlighting the commitment to sustainability and technological advancement.
The geothermal HVAC system installed by Bedrock will provide 35 tons of heating and cooling for four tenants of Building D, underscoring the efficiency and effectiveness of geothermal technology in commercial settings. The project was completed in collaboration with Interface Engineering and Climate Solutions, leading engineering and HVAC services firms in Austin, respectively.
Joselyn Lai, Co-Founder & CEO of Bedrock Energy, expressed enthusiasm for the project's success, stating, “Our team is thrilled to bring something truly special to Texas with our first geothermal project.” Lai emphasized the broader benefits of geothermal energy, including cost savings, reliability, and innovation, underscoring its potential to strengthen grids and support communities.
Bedrock's proprietary design and construction technologies enable the company to optimize borefield design and enhance performance. By leveraging automated drilling and advanced subsurface modeling, Bedrock triples drilling speed, increases space-efficiency, and improves subsurface accuracy, setting new standards in geothermal innovation.
The completion of the Austin project follows Bedrock's successful $8.5 million seed funding round, reflecting growing investor confidence in the company's vision and capabilities. Danya Hakeem, VP of Portfolio at Elemental Excelerator, emphasized the importance of sustainable heating and cooling solutions in achieving cost savings and addressing climate challenges.
As Bedrock continues to pioneer geothermal technology, its role as an end-to-end construction manager for geothermal projects positions the company to deliver clean heating and cooling solutions in dense urban environments, furthering its mission to drive sustainability and innovation in the energy sector.
