Three geothermal meetings heat-up Boston winter
Over the past few weeks Boston has been heating up on the topic of geothermal energy - even as the temperature outside plummets. On January 30 and 31, HEET and MIT partnered to present the Geothermal Energy Networks: Transforming our Thermal Energy System course during the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Independent Activities Period (IAP). This joint effort between HEET and MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative, MIT Open Learning, and MIT Sloan School of Management, convened 30 experts from academia, policy, community organizations, utilities, design firms, drillers, national labs, and international leaders to examine how next-generation geothermal energy networks (GENs) can transform our thermal energy system. Participants explored the technical workings of GENs, discussed critical policy considerations, and examined scalability efforts worldwide, focusing on global challenges including workforce development, health, affordability, and access. The course agenda is attached here. Look for OpenCourseware materials in June.
The International District Energy Association (IDEA) Campus Energy 2025 Conference took place February 3-6 at the Boston Seaport district, bringing together industry leaders for three days of educational sessions, workshops, a technical program, and tours of operating district energy systems. This year's conference marked a first with three workshops dedicated to thermal energy networks. HEET, collaborating with MIT, presented at one of these workshops, sharing insights on geothermal networks. The conference focused on strategies and technologies driving the future of the industry, offering real-world solutions for campuses striving for sustainability and decarbonization. Interactive sessions, panel discussions, and Q&A provided ample opportunities for engagement. The IDEA Campus Energy Conference is primarily an industry-focused event. You can find more information about the conference here.
HEET played a prominent role at the Thermal Energy Networks Symposium (February 6-8), co-sponsoring the event along with Geothermal Rising and Building Decarbonization Coalition, and contributing expertise through team members serving as panelists or moderators in four different sessions. HEET also spearheaded a crucial discussion on aligning language within the geothermal energy industry. Panelists highlighted the value of the term "geothermal" and stressed the need for unity and coordinated messaging to avoid confusion, especially as interest in thermal energy networks is expanding to more and more states. Last year HEET authored a paper A Definitional Taxonomy for (Geo) Thermal Energy Networks that outline its approach to the language. You can find that paper here. The symposium culminated with a tour of the now iconic Framingham Pilot Project. You can find more information on the symposium including its agenda here.
