It is very exciting that Framingham was chosen as a pilot site by Eversource for a networked Geothermal system.

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. The word geothermal comes from the Greek words geo (earth) and therme (heat). Geothermal energy is a renewable energy source because heat is continuously produced inside the earth.

Construction is scheduled to begin later this year, and the pilot will run two full hearing and cooling cycles. The area of Framingham in consideration is a mix of residential (single and multi-family) and commercial properties with a diversity of incomes and existing heating fuels. The area is in District 7:

Eversource is coordinating a meeting on: Wednesday, April 13th at 7:00 PM at the Fuller Middle School in the auditorium.

Eversource will be notifying area residents directly about the event via letter, post card, and canvassing, as well as through email (if available in Eversource’s records). This initial meeting is limited to only those that are within the proposed project area (both primary and alternate) to focus on the potential participants and to ensure their questions and concerns about the project are addressed.

Eversource is planning a follow-up meeting at a later date that will be geared for the broader public to learn about the project. They will also have a table at the Framingham Earth Day Festival on April 23.

You can view their recent presentation to the Environmental and Sustainability Subcommittee meeting on 3/14/2022 on the Government Channel. Their presentation starts about 3 minutes into the meeting.

More information about the pilot project can be found on their website, or you can watch a short video here.

If you have questions about the pilot or would like to receive regular updates, please email geothermal@eversource.com.