WHY GEO?
In September, we hosted an online conversation with a wide range of local experts working in or adjacent to geothermal.
Listen to each of our guests below or access the full recording here.
Introduction
Organizers Debbie New and Sally Burrell introduce our focus and why they’re working to advance geothermal and thermal energy networks in Vermont and Northern New England.
Drilling: Brock Yordy
Brock is not only an experienced driller, but also host of The Driller Newscast and a national advocate for geothermal. He talks about Vermont’s bedrock, flooding, workforce needs, and what gets him fired up about geothermal.
Engineering: George Martin
George Martin, President of LN Consulting, has designed many geothermal systems in Vermont. He shares where geothermal systems are already working in Vermont and what makes him want to build geothermal everywhere he can.
Architecture: Steve Smith
Steve Smith of SAS Architects shares his insight on the architect’s role and why his firm now designs 95% of their projects with geothermal systems. He discusses how the site-specific nature of geothermal systems can provide reliability, carbon neutrality, and flexibility for both historic renovations and new construction.
Municipal Projects: Dana Clawson
Dana Clawson, Environmental Sustainability Coordinator for the Town of Hartford, Vermont, discusses why his town is considering not just geothermal, but also a thermal energy network for community-scale decarbonization and as public infrastructure to re-use existing heat.
Legislation: Juliet Walsh
Juliet Walsh, Legislative Assistant to Senator Peter Welch (VT), focuses on federal energy and environmental policy. She shares observations from her recent visit to Iceland and reports on how her office is working to lower barriers and jumpstart larger-scale implementation of geothermal energy in Vermont and nationally.
Reflection: Bryant Jones
Bryant Jones, Executive Director of Geothermal Rising, reflects on the event’s conversations and shares how what’s happening in Vermont fits into the national and global picture of geothermal energy development.
Listen to the full recording here:
QUESTIONS ASKED
“Vermont recently experienced record flooding that devastated communities and downtowns. How can we plan for using geothermal within this kind of context, for e.g. considering rebuilding downtowns/municipalities?”
“Is it feasible for neighbors to go in on systems together? How would/could this work?”
“Is anyone using geothermal wells to inject CO2 into the earth for sequestration?”
Bryant Jones : “Yes. Carbfix is a company doing this in Iceland”
“How does geothermal work when the power is out in the colder periods? Do residents need to have backup power for geothermal systems or a backup heating source?”
“The Municipal Energy Resilience Program (MERP) is in the process of providing substantial funding to municipalities to replace old fossil fuel heating systems. This would seem to provide a great opportunity for installing geo-thermal networks/heating/cooling systems. Has there been any collaboration?”
“Why is the cost for geothermal systems still so much higher than gas?”
TOPICS FOR FUTURE EVENTS AND MATERIALS
Internal distribution systems
Open vs. closed loop systems
Project development timelines
Reducing installation costs
Ownership models and capital stack
Heat is a precious resource in Northern New England states where we share a colder climate and take much of our character from our more rural communities.
Vermont Community Geothermal Alliance is offering regional events to anyone in Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and nearby states.
Curiosity welcome. No expertise or experience needed.
We hope you’ll join us.