BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) released new safety guidelines from its Pipeline Safety Division for networked geothermal projects. Massachusetts is a leader in the development of networked geothermal, with the country's first utility-scale pilot project becoming operational in the beginning of June.  

The Pipeline Safety Division is an enforcement arm of the DPU and ensures that operators of natural gas distribution companies, municipal gas departments, steam distribution companies, and other intrastate operators are in compliance with state and federal regulations governing pipeline safety. The Pipeline Safety Division also oversees utility operators and excavators to preserve public utility service through enforcement of the Dig Safe Laws.

The safety guidelines apply to closed-loop geothermal systems that interconnect ground-source heat pumps and are designed to support the development of this clean form of energy while prioritizing the safety and wellbeing of the public, workers, and the environment. Specifically, operators of these systems are advised to follow these safety guidelines to protect and promote the welfare of consumers and contractors. Networked geothermal pilots in Massachusetts use existing pipeline infrastructure as a map and employ gas workers and pipe fitters using their current skillset. This helps reduce the burden for additional skilled labor during the clean energy transition.  

The guidelines provide definitions and safety directives to ensure compliance with the state's existing laws, regulations, and utility safe-operating practices. The Pipeline Safety Division will conduct periodic inspections to ensure that the emerging networked geothermal distribution systems are operating safely, effectively, and reliably. The guidelines will be updated as needed.  

Networked geothermal operators should develop and follow an Emergency Response Plan and an Operator Qualification Plan to ensure the systems operate safely. Operators are also expected to file annual reports with the Pipeline Safety Division, including information on the miles of service and number of customers. The guidelines do not pertain to smaller, private geothermal projects, i.e. geothermal technology that serves individual buildings on private property.  

These projects change the trajectory not only for Massachusetts' gas companies, but for the Pipeline Safety Division as well. As decarbonization continues, the Pipeline Safety Division plays an integral role in enforcing safety procedures for companies embarking on their ability to provide networked geothermal systems to protect both customers and workers.

"As facilitators of the clean energy transition, our goal is to help pave the way for innovation while fulfilling the DPU's mission to protect consumers and ensure that utility companies are providing the most reliable service at the lowest possible cost," said Chair James Van Nostrand. "Networked geothermal systems have the capacity to do all this and more, and these guidelines ensure the DPU standards for safety are followed for all future networked geothermal projects."

In docket 20-80, the Department issued an order requiring the local gas distribution companies (LDCs) to evaluate non-gas alternatives such as networked geothermal systems rather than invest in new natural gas infrastructure.

Networked geothermal takes advantage of the Earth's consistent ground temperature to provide both heating and cooling through a buried system of pipes known as the ground loop. In the winter, fluid circulated through the ground loop absorbs the warmth from underground to bring indoor heat to buildings. Conversely, in the summer, excess indoor heat is absorbed and concentrated by the heat pump and sent through the ground loop into the ground while also providing conditioned air to cool indoor spaces.

The state's two largest utilities, Eversource and National Grid, committed to pilot network geothermal projects. Eversource's pilot in Framingham came into service in early June and services approximately 135 residential and commercial customers with ground-sourced heating and cooling. National Grid is developing two pilots, one set for Lowell and is in partnership with UMass Lowell, and the other with the City of Boston's Housing Authority to service the Franklin Field Apartments in Dorchester.

Municipalities have also expressed their interest in pursuing networked geothermal in their areas. Earlier this year, 13 municipalities received $450,000 in funding from the Kickstart Massachusetts program, an endeavor between HEET and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center. The grants help support a range of projects from building retrofits to new commercial and residential construction in these cities and towns. 50 percent of the funding was directed to Environmental Justice populations to further advance an equitable energy transition.