Photo: Eversource
FRAMINGHAM, Mass. (WBZNewsradio) - Shovels hit the dirt, as Eversource broke ground on a new geothermal project in Framingham this week.
The project is the first of it's kind in the U.S. and once it's finished, will connect 140 customers across nearly 40-buildings, through a geothermal "loop." The technology is simple, using heat pumps, heat is transferred to and from underground wells into participating buildings within the "loop" of pipes connecting customers. Those customers include residents, a cabinet store, a fire station, Framingham Housing Authority buildings and the Community College.
“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 said they expect the work to be finished before the 2023 heating season,
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