Massachusetts geothermal network gets $8.6 million federal boost to double in size

A groundbreaking geothermal heating and cooling network in Massachusetts will expand significantly thanks to an $8.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, marking a major milestone for clean energy infrastructure in the United States.

The funding will allow Eversource Energy to double the size of the nation’s first utility-led geothermal network, located in Framingham, Massachusetts. The company successfully completed the initial phase of this innovative project in 2024, demonstrating that large-scale geothermal systems can provide efficient heating and cooling alternatives to traditional fossil fuel-based systems.

Geothermal networks work by tapping into the earth’s stable underground temperatures to heat buildings in winter and cool them in summer, using significantly less energy than conventional HVAC systems. This technology represents a crucial step toward reducing carbon emissions from buildings, which account for nearly 40% of total U.S. energy consumption.

The Massachusetts project serves as a proof-of-concept that could inspire similar developments nationwide. By proving that utilities can successfully operate geothermal networks at scale, this expansion could pave the way for widespread adoption of this clean technology. The federal investment signals growing government support for innovative renewable energy solutions that can help communities reduce their carbon footprint while maintaining reliable heating and cooling services. As the network doubles in size, it will serve more homes and businesses while providing valuable data on the economic and environmental benefits of utility-scale geothermal systems.