NYC Is Exploring Geothermal Tech to Keep the Subway Cool

"If you're getting around in a big city, odds are good that you'll find yourself taking an underground train during part of your journey. The city in question might be Chicago, London or Seoul; at their best, these systems are marvels of engineering that help keep sprawling populations connected. Different cities' systems have different advantages, from 24/7 service to stunning architecture. There's also the matter of keeping passengers comfortable both on trains and waiting on the platform."

"One recent rundown of urban subways around the world gave high points to Seoul's system for, among other things, its use of air conditioning. Having trains cooled when the weather outside is hot is a great feature, but it's only part of a larger system - and, as anyone who's waited for the New York City subway on a humid July day can attest, there's an especially dank quality that comes up when standing on a hot, sweaty platform."

"Turns out the transit agency in question is doing some research into how to make subway stations cooler during the hotter months of the year. The document calls for information on "geothermal cooling technologies for the passenger occupied zone of subway platforms in deep stations." As the MTA's request points out, the number of electronic systems used to keep subways working properly has grown since the subway first began transporting passengers, and that's led to more heat being generated."

Urban subway systems vary in features such as 24/7 service, architectural design, and passenger comfort measures. Air-conditioned trains improve onboard comfort but platforms can remain hot and humid. Increasing numbers of electronic systems and equipment in tunnels and stations generate additional heat. The MTA issued a request for information seeking geothermal cooling technologies aimed at the passenger-occupied zone of deep subway platforms. The agency requested general data and specifics for 168th Street and 181st Street stations on the 1 train. Some recently built stations incorporate more advanced cooling systems, raising questions about applying similar technologies to older stations.

Read at InsideHook