Trump Administration Expands Geothermal Energy Funding
▼ Summary
– The US Department of Energy has approved an $8.6 million grant to double the size of the nation’s first utility-led geothermal heating and cooling network in Framingham, Massachusetts.
– The grant recipients are the nonprofit HEET (the lead), the city of Framingham, and the utility Eversource Energy, which completed the network’s first phase in 2024.
– The funding will add about 140 new customers to the existing network and support research to monitor the system’s performance.
– The finalized contract, announced from a 2024 funding initiative, allows construction to proceed amid broader federal efforts to claw back clean energy funding.
– The existing network serves roughly 140 customers using a closed-loop pipe system that taps stable underground temperatures to efficiently heat and cool buildings with electric heat pumps.
A significant federal investment is set to dramatically expand a pioneering geothermal energy project in Massachusetts, marking a major step forward for this highly efficient heating and cooling technology. The U.S. Department of Energy has finalized an $8.6 million grant that will enable the nation’s first utility-led geothermal network to grow, adding roughly 140 new customer connections. This funding, managed by the nonprofit HEET alongside utility Eversource Energy and the city of Framingham, will also support critical research to monitor and validate the system’s long-term performance.
The existing network in Framingham, completed earlier this year, already serves about 140 residential and commercial customers. It operates by accessing the earth’s stable underground temperature through a series of deep boreholes. Water circulates through a closed-loop pipe system, allowing individual electric heat pumps in each building to provide efficient climate control. Geothermal networks are widely considered among the most energy-efficient ways to heat and cool buildings, leveraging the consistent thermal energy just below the surface.
“This award is an opportunity and a responsibility to clearly demonstrate and quantify the growth potential of geothermal network technology,” stated Zeyneb Magavi, HEET’s executive director. The expansion project is seen as a vital real-world test case that could pave the way for broader adoption of the technology in other communities seeking to decarbonize their heating systems.
Local officials have welcomed the development, highlighting its benefits for energy security and sustainability. Framingham Mayor Charlie Sisitsky noted the project represents a significant move toward energy independence by tapping into a reliable, local resource. The initiative stands out as a notable clean energy investment moving forward, even as federal policy shifts have led to the reconsideration of other major funding commitments in the sector. The finalized contract allows construction on the network’s expansion to begin immediately.
(Source: Ars Technica)
