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Princeton University, Central Energy Facilities
Princeton University, Central Energy Facilities
Princeton, NJ, United States
Popular Winner, 2025 A+Awards, Built - Sustainable Institutional Building
Project of the Day on Sep 06, 2025
Project Featured on Sep 06, 2025
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Other Projects by ZGF Architects
Princeton University, Central Energy Facilities
Princeton, NJ, United States
Popular Winner, 2025 A+Awards, Built - Sustainable Institutional Building
Project of the Day on Sep 06, 2025
Project Featured on Sep 06, 2025
With the goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2046, Princeton University is overhauling how energy is supplied to every building on its campus, while mobilizing to meet ambitious targets around alternative commuting, water use reduction, and responsible design and development.
After 250 years of using carbon-based heating technologies, Princeton is moving to a new hot-water energy system driven by electric heat pumps, thermal storage and geo-exchange — one of the first in the nation to combine these technologies at this scale.
Princeton’s geo-exchange equipment is housed by two new central energy facilities, TIGER and CUB. The facilities connect to two fields in their respective neighborhoods with more than 1,200 cumulative bores, some up to 850-feet deep, which act as thermal batteries to store seasonal heat below ground. Two new thermal energy storage (TES) tanks adjoin each facility, storing a ready supply of water to heat and cool campus each day. In combination with on-site and off-site solar PV power generation, these integrated systems will support Princeton’s transition away from fossil fuel combustion and be used by the campus for the next 100 years. The new systems also dramatically reduce potable water use.
TIGER and CUB are designed to showcase their systems, serve as a teaching tool, and educate the campus and community on sustainable energy production. Expanses of glazing welcome passersby to peek inside and observe innovative systems at work. Colorful annotated pipes and equipment invite a moment of discovery.
In addition to its energy transition, the university aims to double its percentage of alternative commuters by mid-century, expand access to on-campus transportation services, and support more widespread use of electric vehicles. Two new garages are sited adjacent to TIGER and CUB and will encourage campus commuters and visitors to access the rest of campus via sustainable modes of transportation.
After 250 years of using carbon-based heating technologies, Princeton is moving to a new hot-water energy system driven by electric heat pumps, thermal storage and geo-exchange — one of the first in the nation to combine these technologies at this scale.
Princeton’s geo-exchange equipment is housed by two new central energy facilities, TIGER and CUB. The facilities connect to two fields in their respective neighborhoods with more than 1,200 cumulative bores, some up to 850-feet deep, which act as thermal batteries to store seasonal heat below ground. Two new thermal energy storage (TES) tanks adjoin each facility, storing a ready supply of water to heat and cool campus each day. In combination with on-site and off-site solar PV power generation, these integrated systems will support Princeton’s transition away from fossil fuel combustion and be used by the campus for the next 100 years. The new systems also dramatically reduce potable water use.
TIGER and CUB are designed to showcase their systems, serve as a teaching tool, and educate the campus and community on sustainable energy production. Expanses of glazing welcome passersby to peek inside and observe innovative systems at work. Colorful annotated pipes and equipment invite a moment of discovery.
In addition to its energy transition, the university aims to double its percentage of alternative commuters by mid-century, expand access to on-campus transportation services, and support more widespread use of electric vehicles. Two new garages are sited adjacent to TIGER and CUB and will encourage campus commuters and visitors to access the rest of campus via sustainable modes of transportation.
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