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Geothermal Pilot in Framingham
An innovative heating and cooling system using renewable power from the earth.
Our First-of-its-Kind Pilot Uses Utility-Scale, Networked Geothermal
A geothermal system uses wells, piping and pumps to pull the earth's heat out of the ground to warm buildings in winter and pumps heat from buildings back into the ground in summer to cool them.
It is renewable energy that comes from the sun's rays and temperatures produced in the earth's core.
We're piloting its use at scale in Framingham as a potential option to complement or replace delivered fuels and natural gas service for heating. The use of this technology could be expanded in the future based on the outcome of the project.
Watch this overview to learn about the science of geothermal energy
About the Project
We're committed to delivering New England's vision of a clean energy future, and determining if networked geothermal systems are a viable option to affordably heat and cool homes and businesses.
The project was approved by the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities in 2020 and, once in service, the pilot is intended to run through two heating and cooling seasons (24 months). The planned route consists of 36 buildings, 24 of which are residential homes.
We entered into an agreement with participating customers for the duration of the pilot, and will accept feedback before, during, and after the pilot period to ensure the best customer experience possible.
See more detailed construction updates, a route map and community outreach.
Groundbreaking and Commissioning
On June 12, 2023, we hosted state and local leaders, along with clean energy partners, at MassBay Community College in Framingham for the groundbreaking of our networked geothermal pilot. The event marked the start of construction on this innovative project.
“This is what fighting climate change on a local level looks like," said Vice President of Clean Technologies Nikki Bruno. “It’s not one entity. It’s all of us together: it’s customers, it’s agencies, it’s utilities, it’s advocates. This is a powerful moment for us.”
“Operating, constructing and maintaining an underground geothermal network has a lot of parallels to what our industry and our employees do every day,” explained President of Gas Distribution Bill Akley. “This project, for us, is enabling our group of dedicated employees to see a way that we can provide different services in a different way.”
The full livestream can be watched on Facebook.
On June 4, 2024, we hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the commissioning of the pilot.
After nearly a year of construction, the system is turned on, circulating fluid, and ready to serve approximately 135 residential and commercial customers with ground-sourced heating and cooling.
“This is going to be the start of great things, not just here in Massachusetts, but you’ll see it across the country,” said Chairman, President and CEO Joe Nolan at the ceremony.
Additional speakers at the event were Secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs for Massachusetts Rebecca Tepper, Massachusetts State Senator Michael Barrett, who co-chairs the Joint Legislative Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy, and Zeyneb Magavi, Executive Director of HEET.
The success of this project was made possible by the partnership between Eversource and many outside organizations, in addition to a diverse, cross-functional internal team.
“From conception through construction, Eversource employees from across disciplines came together to lend their expertise,” explained Bruno. “We were unified in our mission to create a positive experience for our participating customers and our community, and to learn as much as we could about this promising technology at every phase of the pilot.”
Eversource Geothermal Pilot Commissioning Ceremony
What Pilot Customers Receive
- A cost-effective, low-carbon source of heating and cooling.
- We pay for the cost of building and installing the geothermal system, as well as all the equipment to be installed in homes and businesses.
- Participants will pay a low fixed charge each month for access to the geothermal network. They will be responsible for their electric bill that will power the heat pump. However, their monthly energy costs should ultimately decrease because they will no longer be primarily paying for natural gas or delivered fuels to heat and cool their homes and businesses.
- The technology is proven, but if something isn't functioning as planned or customers want an alternate heating and cooling service, we will work to ensure the continued heating and cooling of property for personal comfort.
Additional Information and Project Coverage
- "A project in Mass. tests a future for gas utilities without fossil fuels" - WBUR
- Watch a presentation featuring Nikki Bruno, Director of Clean Technologies at Eversource, where she talks about Massachusetts' clean energy pathway and the geothermal district pilot program.
- Find expanded details on what to expect, the setup and more in the project brochure.
- " A net-zero future for gas utilities? Switching to underground thermal networks" - Canary Media
- "Framingham met all the criteria on Eversource's quantitative process." - Eric Bosworth, Geothermal Pilot Project Manager in the Choose Framingham newsletter.
- Beverly, Framingham, Massachusetts getting creative to lower carbon footprints - WCVB 5, Boston
- Students celebrate first-of-its-kind networked geothermal system coming to Framingham neighborhood - WCVB 5, Boston
- A first-of-its-kind geothermal system will cool and heat dozens of homes in Massachusetts - ABC News
- Ukrainian delegation visits to study geothermal energy - Boston Globe
Have Questions?
If you have questions about the pilot or would like to receive regular updates, please email geothermal@eversource.com.
Reference Guide
Learn more about the process, technology, neighborhood and more.