Kickstart Massachusetts Communities Provide their Thermal Energy Feasibility Studies to HEET
We are thrilled to announce the first datasets of feasibility study results from our Kickstart Massachusetts communities! Thanks to a $450,000 grant from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, we've been able to support communities across the Commonwealth in exploring the potential of geothermal energy.
Our Kickstart Mass. initiative provides grants of up to $50,000 to municipalities interested in implementing geothermal networks as their energy source. The program aims to create a pipeline of “shovel-ready” projects, attracting future funding for implementation while fostering community engagement and education. We're excited to receive the initial findings from our first round of recipients: Lexington, Salem, Worcester, Somerville, Arlington, Gloucester and Deerfield.
These feasibility studies offer crucial insights into the viability and potential impact of geothermal solutions within each community. The reports highlight key outcomes, showcasing the feasibility and potential positive impact of geothermal solutions in each community. These findings are essential for advancing our shared vision of an affordable, safe, reliable and sustainable energy future.
"In 2017 we proposed that utilities could install geothermal networks, using shared water/geo infrastructure and ground-source heat pumps to deliver heating and cooling to homes and businesses. That proposal was realized in 2024 when Eversource Energy went online with the nation’s first-of-its-kind utility-scale networked geothermal system in Framingham, Massachusetts. Since then, we've built a national coalition of utility companies and expanded our outreach, including discussions with Ukraine and trips to Europe and South Asia, as demand for our geothermal expertise grows."
The Kickstart Mass. program is designed to provide the resources needed to empower communities. By understanding the costs and benefits of networked geothermal energy and how these systems operate in homes and businesses, residents can actively participate in shaping their energy future. We believe that community engagement is paramount to a successful energy transition, and this program reflects that commitment.
HEET is incredibly grateful to the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center for their support and to the participating communities for their dedication to exploring innovative energy solutions. This is just the beginning! We are confident that these initial findings will pave the way for more communities to embrace geothermal technology and contribute to a more sustainable Massachusetts.
If you would like more information, we plan to post the full Feasibility Studies from each community on our website in the next few weeks. We believe that networked geothermal is a key energy solution to decarbonizing our buildings and to meet the needs and priorities of many communities across the globe. The results of these studies bring us one step closer to understanding how to transform that vision into reality, together.
