The first of its kind system will provide geothermal energy to Framingham homes, businesses.
FRAMINGHAM - A commissioning event was held by Eversource at the Framingham Public Schools (FPS) administration complex on Tuesday, June 4, to mark the completion of their geothermal neighborhood project.
The pilot program, which the utility company says is the first of its kind across the United States, will set out to offer clean energy through temperature below the earth’s surface. That temperature under the surface consistently stays at around 55 degrees, so the system utilizes liquids, wells, pumps, and pipes to pull heat up from the ground and into buildings during the winter while pumping indoor heat back into the ground during the summer.
“This is going to be the start of great things—not just here in Massachusetts, but you’ll see it across the country…Just know that you folks are trailblazers here in Framingham, and that we are proud to partner with you,” Chairman, President, and CEO of Eversource Joe Nolan said during Tuesday’s ceremony at FPS’s Farley Building.
After the geothermal project began by the Farley Building last June, a total of 31 residential and five commercial buildings in Framingham on stretches like Concord Street and Prindiville Avenue are now set to receive energy through Eversource’s new system.
The geothermal pilot program was created in an effort to help meet decarbonization goals in Massachusetts, as Eversource claims the system is also sustainable and efficient while presenting the potential for users to save on their utility bills as well. Vice President of Clean Technologies at Eversource Nikki Bruno explained on Tuesday that the company expects participants in the pilot program to see their monthly energy costs drop by an average of around 15% to 20%.
The company identified Framingham as an ideal place to build the project due to the amount of available space along with the mix of residential and business spots. Mayor Charlie Sisitsky praised Eversource for their assistance on additional renovations to the fire station along Concord Street as well as the Farley Building through the geothermal plan.
“This energy project will not only benefit the residents and business owners in this neighborhood,” Sisitsky said, “but the city as a whole.”
Conversions for buildings will be carried out through the summer, with data collection set to begin in July. From there, Eversource’s pilot program will take information from two heating and cooling seasons to see if the geothermal system is a viable avenue to provide a cost-effective and eco-friendly energy source.
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