District Heat Pump Systems Save Money and Gas Utilities
1 min read
Summary
District heating and geothermal energy remain a niche technology in the United States, despite their efficiency and lower carbon emissions when compared to traditional gas infrastructure.
Utility company Eversource is piloting a project to connect 37 buildings in Framingham, Massachusetts to a district geothermal heating system, which will harness excess heat from industrial facilities to heat homes during the winter.
Though six US states have passed laws allowing gas utilities to operate outside of fossil fuels, there are regulatory hurdles to overcome before networked geothermal energy can become more widespread.
The formation of the Utility Networked Geothermal Collaborative, which includes large energy companies like Dominion Energy, is expected to accelerate the adoption of geothermal heating and cooling systems.
Geothermal energy is a viable lower-carbon alternative to gas, but it currently lacks the support it needs to reach the individual consumer.
This article argues that utility companies are well-placed to lead the transition to geothermal as they look to move away from fossil fuels, but the technology needs more support at a governmental level for it to become more widespread.
