DiXi Group helps to study foreign experience of using geothermal solutions in heating
From 16 to 19 September, a study tour of the Ukrainian delegation to the United States was initiated by DiXi Group to study the experience of integrating installations that use surface (up to 200 m deep) geothermal heat energy in district heating systems.
The trip was supported by USAID, which supports Ukraine’s energy transformation, and at the invitation of the US NGO NEET, which promotes the use of geothermal energy for heat supply.
The visit was attended by representatives of the NEURC, the Ministry of Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine, the State Agency on Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving, communities and other stakeholders.
The introduction of energy-efficient solutions, including renewable energy sources (RES), is an important step for Ukraine to successfully fulfil its commitments to achieve climate neutrality. The use of geothermal solutions in Ukraine will allow the creation of highly efficient district heating systems based on renewable energy and waste heat.
NEET Executive Director Zeyneb Magavi believes that achieving the strategic goals of the green transformation of the US energy system is only possible if the potential of surface geothermal energy systems is harnessed. During the conversation with the participants of the trip, she noted that such systems are intended to replace natural gas in American homes. According to NEET’s estimates, investments in their development based on sustainable and engineered solutions can be fully recouped in 10 years, and energy savings can reach 85%.
Part of the US strategy to achieve climate neutrality is to switch from natural gas to electricity, which requires an almost doubling of the power grid’s capacity. However, using geothermal solutions, it is possible not only to save energy directly, but also not to invest extra money in the development of power grids.
The participants of the trip visited Framingham, Massachusetts, where a local gas supply company has found a new niche for itself and implemented a pilot project to replace individual heating and cooling of homes and municipal facilities with gas with geothermal energy from a centralised heating and cooling system. The system has a capacity of 1.3 MW, which is equivalent to providing energy for about 130 apartments.
In addition, this system allows for air conditioning in the summer, which has already been implemented as part of this project for public buildings. The system of 80 wells with a depth of 200 m circulates water with an admixture of antifreeze (propylene glycol), which is used by heat pumps in consumer homes to heat their premises.
The total cost of the project is $22 million. Representatives of the operating company stressed that even according to pessimistic forecasts, scaling up and completing the next stages would cost half as much, as the system is a pilot project.
The participants also had the opportunity to learn about the operation of the heating and air conditioning system of the Boston University Centre for Computing Sciences building (the so-called ‘Jenga building’), which is based on energy-efficient solutions and uses geothermal energy. The system is based on 500-metre-deep wells that extract heat and cold from the bedrock. The system heats/cools the air and supplies it to the ventilation system.
According to the project’s chief architect, Dennis Carlberg, immediately after the system was launched in February 2023, its capacity was sufficient to heat the building even at an outside temperature of -220C. ‘The Jenga building is considered to be a climate-neutral building, as in addition to geothermal energy, it uses electricity from solar panels on the university’s territory and generated by one of the wind farms.
On 18-19 September, with the assistance of DiXi Group, the participants had a series of meetings with representatives of US government organisations: The Department of Energy (DOE), the Federal Energy Regulator (FERC), the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and the National Association of Regulators (NARUC).
According to the Geothermal Technology Office (GTO), a specialised division of the DOE, their analysis and modelling shows that the transition process will require an increase in US grid and power generation capacity from 150 TW currently to 258 TW in 2050. If the full potential of geothermal energy is used, the amount of required grid capacity could be reduced by 37 TW to 221 TW. Despite the large investment required for geothermal energy systems, their payback in the medium term through savings makes this option economically viable. From 1 kWh of electricity, geothermal systems can produce 6 kWh of green heat without local pollution.
The GTO is currently working on research, analysis and database development that will allow geothermal technologies to be integrated in the most efficient way in the future.
They welcomed Ukraine’s intentions to develop geothermal technologies in district heating systems and promised to share their new research findings and provide support.
During the meeting, Chris Bowman, a staff member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, spoke about the political aspects of renewable energy support. In particular, he noted that the US government’s policy is based on mechanisms to stimulate renewable energy rather than increasing fiscal pressure on fossil fuels. He also emphasised that geothermal energy systems are supported by society, although they require significant investments at the start of the technology implementation. The US senators are awaiting a DOE report on the potential for reducing capital investment in the development of geothermal energy technologies to formulate specific legislative incentives.
As a result of the trip, the participants received comprehensive information on the US strategy for the transition to non-fossil fuels, the place of geothermal technologies in it and overcoming the challenges that arise in the implementation of relevant solutions. They also studied the practical experience of installing geothermal systems, both for district heating systems and for individual facilities.
“We hope that the participants of the trip will be able to use the knowledge gained to improve the state policy on the use of ground source heat pumps for district heating and cooling in Ukraine. We also saw the interest of municipal representatives in implementing pilot projects in their communities. If they are implemented, it will be possible to estimate the cost of installing such systems across Ukraine and further rely on local practical experience and skills in operating geothermal systems,” said Olena Pavlenko, President of DiXi Group.
In turn, the delegation shared information on the state of the Ukrainian energy sector and the prospects for the development of renewable energy and cogeneration technologies, where cooperation between the United States and Ukraine is possible.