Microsoft’s Thermal Energy Center Named 2023 ENR National Best of the Best, Project of the Year
Engineering a Better World One Project at a Time
AEI proudly celebrates the success of the Microsoft Thermal Energy Center (TEC) — a project that embodies innovation, sustainability, and engineering excellence. Excelling in the 2023 Engineering-News Record (ENR) Best Projects award program, the TEC secured two ENR Regional and two ENR National accolades, culminating in the 2023 Project of the Year. These accolades highlight the tech giant’s transformative influence in shaping modern, sustainable corporate facilities and AEI’s integral design contributions, bringing the corporation’s groundbreaking vision to life.
Reaching the Pinnacle of Achievement in the AEC Industry
The Microsoft TEC earned the following 2023 ENR Best Project awards:
AEI project team and partners on-site at the TEC, witnessing their hard work in action.
“The TEC was a career project for everyone involved. We feel this project was ahead of its time, yet regulations are starting to catch up in a way that we will likely see more projects pursue similar strategies.”
Redefining Industry Benchmarks in Corporate Sustainability
As Engineer of Record, AEI spearheaded the TEC’s innovative concept and design, leading-edge mechanical and plumbing systems, and associated electrical and thermal distribution. This first-of-its-kind, all-electric district energy facility stands as a trailblazing model for the industry, paving the way toward a greener, more sustainable future. The TEC not only aligns with the corporation’s global sustainability goals to become carbon-negative and water-positive by 2030 but also AEI’s ability to transform client aspirations into extraordinary triumphs.
- 100%
- electric combined heating & cooling plant
The central utility plant's mechanical and electrical equipment was prefabricated offsite.
- 900
- geothermal wells, each drilled 550 feet deep
Harnessing Geothermal Energy
AEI conducted comprehensive systems and plant configuration analyses, energy modeling, cost assessments, and resiliency evaluations to develop the TEC’s novel energy solutions.
One of the most impressive features of the TEC is its advanced geo-exchange technology. Spanning 6.5 acres, the facility includes nearly 900 geothermal wells, each drilled 550 feet deep. Out of AEI’s 15 completed geothermal systems, this one stands as the largest and ranks among the most expansive in the U.S. By harnessing the Earth’s stable underground temperature, this system delivers highly efficient heating and cooling to campus buildings, significantly reducing energy consumption and operating with minimal carbon emissions.
Revolutionizing Thermal Energy Storage
Efficiency is a cornerstone of TEC’s design. Along with chillers, pumps, risers, electrical equipment, emergency generators, and other critical components, the facility features seven large thermal storage tanks with a 280,000-gallon capacity. These tanks enable the TEC to store and utilize energy more effectively. Integrating thermal storage also reduced the number of needed geothermal wells by 38%, resulting in approximately $7.5 million in construction cost savings.
- 7
- large thermal storage tanks
The 280,000-gallon thermal storage tanks enable the TEC to efficiently store and optimize energy usage.
Maximizing Efficiency with Next-Gen MEP Systems
AEI’s expertise is evident in the sophisticated systems incorporated into the TEC, which meet the rigorous standards expected of a high-tech facility. By employing value-engineering techniques, AEI realized approximately $15 million in savings by eliminating redundant mechanical equipment—an outcome facilitated by the project team’s collaborative design-assist approach.
AEI developed a highly efficient HVAC system specifically designed for the TEC’s evolving environment, optimizing thermal comfort and energy efficiency. The system includes advanced controls that dynamically regulate airflow and temperature according to real-time occupancy and usage data.
- $15 million
- in savings by eliminating redundant mechanical equipment
The TEC also functions as an exhibit for visitors, offering a glimpse into central utility plant's inner workings.
The TEC’s electrical system supports its advanced technology and provides a continuous power supply for demanding computing operations. The facility features smart lighting systems equipped with occupancy sensors and daylight harvesting, which improve energy efficiency. Furthermore, the TEC utilizes solar panels to capture renewable solar energy, decreasing dependence on external power sources.
Enhancing water efficiency, AEI developed a plumbing system that incorporates low-flow fixtures and advanced water management technologies. This approach has led to a significant decrease in water usage, saving 8 million gallons of water per year.
The TEC runs entirely on electricity, removing the need for onsite fossil fuels and supporting the project's zero-net carbon goal.
Fortifying Microsoft’s Innovative Edge
The TEC’s impact goes beyond immediate benefits, operating over three times more efficiently than code requirements and achieving a 50% reduction in energy use compared to traditional utility plants. AEI’s advanced, resilient systems and collaborative approach have minimized the corporation’s ecological footprint with nuanced solutions, reinforcing the tech giant’s position at the forefront of innovation. The TEC’s success demonstrates what we can achieve by collaborating with forward-thinking partners to tackle complex challenges and drive meaningful change.