The Complutense Institute in Alcala de Henares has become the first high school in the Community of Madrid in Spain to install a geothermal system for heating and cooling. Drawing geothermal energy from a network of 36 wells drilling to a depth of 125 meters, the system delivers up to 80% of the building’s cooling capacity and up to 100% of its heating capacity.

Instituto Complutense in Alcala de Henares, Spain

The project involved an investment of EUR 5.4 million to incorporate the latest energy-efficiency technologies into the facilities. The wellbores are connected to pumps installed inside the building that raise or lower the temperature of the water flowing through the school’s underfloor heating or cooling system, depending on the time of year.

The geothermal system is complemented by an aerothermal system, both of which are powered by photovoltaic panels. The result is a highly efficiency system that reduces both energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions.

The Complutense Institute in Alcalá offers compulsory secondary education and baccalaureate to more than 800 students. The completed project here is part of a wider campaign by the Community of Madrid to carry out renovation and energy efficiency in eight public schools in the region. These projects will entail a total investment of EUR 28.7 million over 2023-2026, and will lead to a reduction of at least 30% in non-renewable primary energy consumption.