The U.S. Department of Energy announced the selection of 11 communities across 10 states for the development of geothermal heating and cooling systems.
The DOE believes utilizing geothermal energy for heating and cooling can help American cities meet their energy needs, reduce costs, generate employment opportunities and lower greenhouse gas emissions, according to an April 25 news release. Although community-based geothermal systems are widespread in other countries, they have yet to become as prevalent in the U.S.
“Supporting the design and deployment of geothermal heating and cooling will expand the uses of clean energy in decarbonizing our communities,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm in the release. “With today’s announcements, DOE is providing the possibility of wider adoption of these geothermal systems which can go a long way in decarbonizing the building and electricity sectors.”
The 11 selected projects will showcase various community types, ranging from urban to remote, and utilize different technologies and system sizes to provide valuable case studies for others to learn from, the release reported
The projects will involve more than 60 partners from around the country, who will bring their expertise in areas such as community needs, workforce, design and deployment to execute these projects, according to the release. By doing so, the DOE hopes to encourage wider adoption of geothermal systems across the U.S.
Geothermal energy systems tap into the Earth's natural warmth to heat and cool buildings, the release said. The technology uses underground pipes to circulate water, which absorbs heat from the earth in winter and releases it in summer, providing efficient and low-cost heating and cooling.
Unlike fossil fuels, geothermal energy systems produce little to no greenhouse gas emissions, making them a clean and sustainable energy source, according to the release. This aligns with President Joe Biden's Justice40 Initiative and his goal of a net-zero economy by 2050.
