Explore geothermal energy networks and their transformative potential for thermal energy systems through this comprehensive course collection from MIT's Independent Activities Period, developed in collaboration with HEET (Home Energy Efficiency Team). Examine the systems view of energy transition and the critical role of methane emissions in current thermal infrastructure. Investigate carbon reduction pathways for building stocks and understand the health impacts associated with natural gas systems. Analyze environmental justice priorities and how geothermal energy networks can address community needs while learning about grassroots organizing efforts that led to their development. Study policy frameworks including the WARMTH Act and the broader U.S. policy landscape for thermal energy networks. Compare European experiences with networked geothermal systems and explore utility perspectives on city and country-scale deployment. Understand various business models for community networked geothermal heating and cooling systems and strategies for global expansion. Learn the technical fundamentals of geothermal heat pumps and how they differ from geothermal energy networks, including design principles and construction processes. Examine emerging codes and standards for ambient temperature loops, drilling techniques for geothermal boreholes, and commissioning procedures. Analyze real-world case studies from Framingham Massachusetts, Penn South Community in Manhattan, and MIT's campus decarbonization plans while exploring techno-economic modeling using the HEATNETS model.

Syllabus

Session Introduction: Geothermal Energy Networks: Transforming Our Thermal Energy System
Session 1-1: A Systems View of the Energy Transition and Role of Methane Emissions
Session 1-2: Carbon Reduction Pathways for Building Stocks
Session 1-3: Health Impacts of Methane ("Natural") Gas Systems
Session 2-1: An Ecological View of the Energy Transition
Session 2-2: How GENs Can Meet Environmental Justice Priorities
Session 2-3: How GENs Arose out of Moms Organizing to Protect Their Children's Future
Session 3-1: Policy Case Study on the WARMTH Act
Session 3-3: The (Geo) Thermal Energy Networks: U.S. Policy Landscape
Session 3-4: Geothermal Energy Networks: Transforming Our Thermal
Session 4-1: Networked Geothermal: The European Experience
Session 4-2: Deploying Geothermal Networks At City and Country Scale: Utility Perspective on Scaling
Session 4-3: Business Models for Community Networked Geothermal Heating and Cooling
Session 4-4: Expanding Geothermal Energy Networks at a Global Scale
Session 5-1: Introduction to Geothermal Heat Pumps
Session 5-2: Differences Between Geothermal Heat Pumps and GEN
Session 5-3: Introduction to Design of GENs
Session 6-2: Emerging Code & Standards for Ambient Temperature Loops
Session 6-3: Introduction to Drilling Geothermal Boreholes
Session 6-4: Constructing and Commissioning of a GEN
Session 7-2: Learning from Geothermal Energy Networks
Session 7-3: Techno-Economic Modeling of GENs with HEATNETS Model
Session 8-1: ATL District Systems Overview
Session 8-2: Framingham, Massachusetts UTEN Pilot Project Overview
Session 8-3: Thermal Energy Network Evolution of the Penn South Community in Manhattan
8-4: Intro to the MIT Thermal Energy Networks Plan for Rapid, Cost-Effective Campus Decarbonization