As part of its ongoing commitment to advance an all-encompassing approach to help facilitate the decarbonization of its natural gas system, Eversource started drilling this week on approximately 90 bore holes that are an essential component of its networked geothermal pilot program in Framingham, Massachusetts. Once completed, the energy company’s geothermal “loop” will connect 140 customers across nearly 40 buildings – including residential homes, a cabinet store, fire station, Framingham Housing Authority buildings and the community college – to provide an energy efficient and sustainable heating and cooling system regulated by the earth’s natural temperature.

“We’ve been working hard installing main and other equipment for several months, and putting drills into the ground is another major step toward making our geothermal pilot system a reality,” said Eversource President of Gas Bill Akley. “This is especially exciting for our 140 customers who are eager to participate in this innovative pilot program as we explore the potential of networked geothermal to decarbonize the natural gas system. Over the next two years, we’re going to study if this technology is cost-effective for our customers, and whether we can expand this kind of networked geothermal system to other customers and communities beyond this neighborhood in Framingham.”

Eversource has worked in close coordination with municipal partners at the City of Framingham to minimize community and environmental impacts as construction on the loop continues. Drilling operations will happen within two city-owned parking lots and a Framing Housing Authority lot over the next few months. The energy company has partnered with a contractor that specializes in this type of drilling, and each well will be approximately 600-700 feet deep.

Geothermal technology works by transferring heat to and from underground wells into homes and businesses using heat pumps. Participating homes and businesses will be connected to the “loop” through a new network of pipes that Eversource and its local contractor continue to build underground.

Eversource expects its networked geothermal system to be complete and placed in service ahead of the 2023 heating season. As part of the pilot program’s 2020 approval by the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU), the energy company will operate its geothermal system for two complete heating and cooling seasons, providing regular updates to the DPU. Using the two-year pilot, Eversource will evaluate whether the technology is a cost-effective option at utility scale to complement or replace delivered fuels like heating oil and propane or natural gas service.

KeyFacts Energy: Geothermal news