A US$63mn geothermal energy project at Fort Sill in Oklahoma is set to transform 1,700 military family homes, demonstrating how ground-source heat pump technology can reduce energy consumption while improving comfort and resilience.
It reflects a rise in interest among the US military in utilising geothermal energy at some of its domestic bases and facilities.
Led by Corvias, the programme will install high-efficiency geothermal heat pumps alongside smart thermostats, upgraded hot water systems and advanced building controls.
The company expects the improvements to reduce annual energy use across the housing community by 57%, delivering more than US$5mn in annual savings.
Corvias Executive Vice President of Investment Management Kyle Miller said the initiative reflects the broader strategy to deploy innovative infrastructure solutions across military communities.
“This project reflects our commitment to innovating at scale for the betterment of military families,” said Miller.
“Through our expanded partner network and Solutions Through Partnerships approach, we are able to address some of the military's most pressing infrastructure and quality of life challenges.”
The project was recently showcased to US Army leaders, congressional representatives and industry partners, who toured manufacturing facilities, drilling operations and completed homes to see the technology in action.
The geothermal systems use stable underground temperatures to provide heating and cooling, reducing HVAC energy consumption by between 40% and 70% compared with conventional systems.
The upgraded homes also incorporate AI-enabled controls that support predictive maintenance, helping improve reliability while reducing maintenance requirements.
The Fort Sill project is being delivered through an Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC), allowing the infrastructure improvements to be financed through future energy savings rather than upfront public funding.
Corvias estimates ESPC projects across its portfolio will generate approximately US$61mn in annual savings and more than US$1.7bn over their lifetime.
As one of the largest residential geothermal deployments in US military housing, the Fort Sill project could provide a blueprint for wider adoption of ground-source heat pump technology at military installations and other large residential communities seeking to improve energy efficiency and long-term resilience.
“As we leverage advanced technologies and partnerships to build a more resilient Fort Sill, it is essential for our collective teams to be synchronized through this process to rapidly deliver the enhanced homes our military families deserve and to generate critical savings that can be reinvested back into Fort Sill and our people,” said US Army Col. John Morgan, Fort Sill garrison commander.