Getting Started with Thermal Energy Networks

A Resource for Towns & Communities

Thanks for your interest in geothermal and other kinds of Thermal Energy Networks for heating and cooling buildings in our communities. 

These questions and actions can help you start exploring the possibilities in your city or town.

Some are already bringing people together to inventory resources, identify opportunities, and make a plan. Others are still learning about this clean energy solution and considering how they might use it locally.

We hope the information and suggestions here help you work with your community to consider how to add geothermal and/or Thermal Energy Networks to local clean energy initiatives.

This resource may be for you if:

  • You are a local energy commissioner or committee member.

  • You are a resident or business owner and want to advance geothermal solutions or other Thermal Energy Networks in your city or town.

You can use this resource to:

  • Explore local thermal energy needs and resources.

  • Engage your community to consider what a project might look like.

  • Get involved with clean energy efforts in your city or town.

To view and download a PDF version of this resource, please click here.

Contents

Watch and share our short videos.

Share information with your community.

Download and share these resources. Find more on our page of Fact Sheets.

The case for geothermal and other Thermal Energy Networks in Vermont

A list of the benefits these systems can bring to our communities

Find answers in our FAQ.

Initial Questions & Actions

The questions below can help you learn about your community’s existing thermal energy resources and how they could be linked with buildings in a network.

Each question has an accompanying action you can take to find out more. You can follow the order of these steps or create your own pathway.

Plus, we’ll all make more progress when we share information and experiences across towns, so please also take a moment to fill out our interest form below.

1

Who can help gather information?

ACTION: GET PEOPLE TOGETHER

Invite people from your community (a small group is good) to get together to review this resource, discuss possibilities, and identify first steps.

Include a range of perspectives if you can, from people working in clean energy or involved in city or town governance to business leaders or students. You can emphasize that expertise is appreciated but not required, as you can learn together.

Is your town already considering geothermal or Thermal Energy Networks?

2

ACTION: CHECK YOUR TOWN PLAN

See if your city or town plan includes geothermal or Thermal Energy Networks.

A city or town plan is a visionary document that is updated every 5 years to reflect your community’s current priorities, goals, challenges, and assets. Each plan includes a section on energy and may already reference geothermal solutions or networked thermal systems. Including Thermal Energy Networks in your town plan makes it easier for state agencies to make grants and demonstrate compliance for federal and state clean energy standards and regulations.

We recommend that you read your city or town plan or speak with your local energy commissioner or committee to find out whether or not any of this language is already included in the plan. If not, you can ask for Thermal Energy Networks to be added.


Working with local leaders to bring an ask or proposal to your city council or town selectboard is the most direct path to implementing a Thermal Energy Network. You can start by offering your support to city or town staff, including energy commissioners and committee members, to gather the following information. 

3

Who are the local leaders most likely to support a project?

ACTION: IDENTIFY SUPPORTERS

Make a list of local leaders and businesses in your community who might:

  • Get involved as partners or advocates, such as:

    • Local energy commissioners and committee members

    • Municipal water & wastewater departments

    • Industries that create waste heat or wastewater such as breweries

  • Provide services to support planning, installation, or maintenance, such as:

    • Plumbers, electricians, drillers

    • Regional or local planning committee members

    • Legal experts

4

What thermal energy is already generated in your community?

ACTION: INVENTORY THERMAL ENERGY RESOURCES

Make a list of existing thermal energy that’s currently being wasted, for example:

  • Grocery stores and large refrigeration centers

  • Hockey/ice arenas

  • Wastewater treatment facilities

  • Data processing centers, including telecommunications facilities

  • Breweries, distilleries, factories

  • Land available for a geothermal borefield (open space or parking lot)

What buildings or neighborhoods are nearby (within about ¼ mile) that could use the heat?

5

Where does it make sense to start a Thermal Energy Network?

ACTION: INVENTORY BUILDING TYPES AND THERMAL NEEDS

Make a list of the buildings in your city or town center or a local area with a variety of buildings. Look for:

  • Different kinds or purposes of buildings

  • Current heating/cooling systems and utility bills

  • Need for weatherization and other upgrades

Is there a larger municipal building that could be a first project and foundation of a network?

Are plans underway or in early stages to improve infrastructure or add new developments?

6

ACTION: IDENTIFY UPCOMING PROJECTS

Learn about new housing, wastewater system, and other kinds of development or infrastructure that might complement a community thermal network.

Consult local leaders:

  • City council and supporting town bodies such as a planning commission or energy committee/coordinators

  • Municipal staff such as planners, manager, or clerk

  • Regional Planning Commission

Does your town have infrastructure plans in the works such as replacing water or wastewater pipes? Are new housing or mixed-use developments being planned?

After gathering this information, you likely have some good ideas for where a geothermal project or Thermal Energy Network could get started in your community.


Now it’s time to dig deeper. Before a project can break ground, there’s more to do to figure out how to finance a project, who will own the system, and who can manage the project from design to operations. 

Some communities may be prepared to begin those next steps of a project, but many will need a more specific roadmap. This winter, we’ll publish How to Build a Thermal Energy Network. This practical guide is being developed in consultation with and including contributions from the Thermal Energy Network Team supported by Energy Action Network.

To be notified when this toolkit is released, please contact us at info@vctn.org

In the meantime, you can continue to share information with your community, fill out our interest form, and sign up for our Google Group to stay in the loop.

What’s next?