Widseth team members join Midwest Mechanical Solutions (MMS) interns and staff for a day of learning.
It’s hard to beat hands-on learning. Seeing a system in action provides a level of understanding that’s difficult to achieve through presentations, articles, or videos alone. When experts can explain how a system works, demonstrate its components, and answer questions in real time, the learning experience becomes even more valuable.
Last Thursday, a group of Widseth interns and mechanical engineering professionals had the opportunity to do just that during a visit to Midwest Mechanical Solutions (MMS) in Golden Valley. The group received an in-depth look at the innovative Darcy Geothermal System and learned directly from the experts who work with the technology every day.
MMS President Bret Riemenschneider (right) shows real time data from the Darcy system on a monitor wall.
The session began with a presentation introducing the Darcy Geothermal System, a high-efficiency geothermal solution that requires significantly less space than many traditional systems. According to MMS, just a few wells can provide the same output as a much larger conventional geothermal well field. The Darcy Geothermal System is highly efficient because it uses groundwater movement within an aquifer to transfer heat, rather than relying solely on the surrounding earth. This approach dramatically increases the amount of energy each well can deliver, allowing a handful of wells to provide the same heating and cooling capacity that would typically require dozens of conventional geothermal wells.
MMS President Bret Riemenschneider (left) explains elements of the Darcy geothermal system.
A guided tour of the facility followed the classroom presentation, where attendees were able to see the system’s components firsthand. The tour provided valuable insight into how the equipment functions and highlighted important design considerations for future projects. It also gave attendees the chance to ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of the technology’s real-world applications.
The tour included multiple spaces throughout the building where exposed mechanical systems were present.
Experiences like this help our team stay current with emerging technologies and industry best practices. The knowledge gained during the visit will help Widseth’s mechanical team evaluate and incorporate innovative geothermal solutions into future projects. At Widseth, continuous learning and professional development are essential to delivering thoughtful, forward-thinking solutions for our clients.
Ben Lauer (left) and Sam Nelson (right) explore the plethora of mechanical components on display during the tour.
