Date
Date and Time
October 20, 2020 10:15 AM (PDT)–11:15 AM (PDT)
Sponsors
Abstract
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 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 from the panel:
- Moving forward with geothermal districts in communities.
Session
Session Code
TSTB1