National Grid outlines 5-year geothermal plan to state
New England Council member, National Grid, filed their geothermal plan whose goal is to convert many of Massachusetts’ natural gas customers and reducing emissions. This plan is to develop four separate shared geothermal networks, this would tap into the heat right under the earth’s surface which can serve as an alternative to trying to replace natural gas pipes.
This five-year demonstration project plan, which had received initial approval from the Baker administration in December. Now the Department of Public Utilities will now conduct a full review of National Grid’s implementation plan, this project would cost more than $15 million and could save typical residential heating customers up to a few dollars in annual electricity costs. National Grid is hoping to select its first networked geothermal site by early 2023, pending approval. This proposal is looking to prioritize converting gas customers to geothermal in low-income and environmental justice communities, but no sites have been picked yet.
“National Grid is focused on tackling greenhouse gas emissions reductions across the building heat sector and geothermal is an important component of that plan,” said Caroline Hon, National Grid’s chief operating officer of New England Gas.
The New England Council would like to commend National Grid on working towards environmentally conscious energy options for New England.
Read more from the Boston Business Journal.