Ground Source Heat Pump, District Heating Panel Part 2 of 2

The Integral Role of Geothermal Heat Pumps in Beneficial Electrification and District Heating & Cooling Systems

Moderator: Jay Egg

Panelists:

• Industry Executive: Ryan Dougherty, Geothermal Exchange Organization
• GHP Manufacturer: Will Lange, WaterFurnace
• Eversource Executive: Peter Klint, Program Manager - Emerging Technology Energy Efficiency at Eversource Energy
• National Grid Executive: Owen Brady-Traczyk, Manager - Future of Heat
• HEET Executive: Zeyneb Magavi, Co-Executive Director at HEET

Panel Discussion Points:

• What is the fundamental function & principal of Geothermal Heat Pump (GHP)?
• How does that differ from Air Source heat pumps (ASHP)?
• What does Beneficial Electrification really mean?
• What is it about a GHP that helps with Beneficial Electrification?

What was the problem that got HEET’s attention?

What are the hurdles to adoption?

• Public Perception
• Dependence on Gas
• Gas Company Challenges
• Electric Grid Capacity
• Gas cooking inside the home (favored by many consumers)

What challenges is the Natural Gas (NG) industry facing?

• Leaky infrastructure
• Public opposition
• NG Industry Term for “Impossible to replace”
• Safety of Gas

Is it possible to switch out gas lines for geothermal lines?

What are the hurdles?

• Regulatory
• Costs
• Right of Way

Who will own maintain and run the geothermal district systems?

• Public utilities
• Coops and municipal electric utility
• Private companies/sector

Will NG Employees be displaced?

• Is NG Pipe is similar to Geothermal Pipe?
• Can NG employees can be upskilled?

How will homeowners that no longer have NG be able to afford a GHP?

• Can the geothermal utility provide equipment?
• Is Utility On-Bill financing (with Net Positive Cash Flow) a possibility?

Wrap up commentary form the panel:

• Moving forward with geothermal districts in communities.