Consumers Energy, a utilities company that provides natural gas and electricity in Michigan, has received approval from the Michigan Public Service Commission to conduct a feasibility study on replacing the existing electricity and natural gas heating systems with networked geothermal systems.
Tracy Wimmers, spokesperson for Consumers Energy, said that the initial upfront costs for the study will be covered by grant funding or a combination of sources. She also emphasized the benefits of making the switch to geothermal, such as reduced greenhouse gas emissions and lower energy bills.
“We want to be looking at places where not only do those customers most likely need to see their energy costs reduced significantly because they’re struggling to pay their bills, but also neighborhoods that have had historically low air quality, because of the emissions reductions that will come from switching to a system like this,” said Wimmers.
In September, Consumers Energy received a $425,000 grant through the Renewable Energy and Electrification Infrastructure Enhancement and Development Grant Program, which supports work on renewable energy and electrification infrastructure.
Wimmers added that the plan is to launch a pilot project after the study has been completed. “This is just the beginning, the earliest portion, where we’re taking a look at these locations and doing the math, looking at trying to find those ideal diverse neighborhoods and figuring out what is, where can we do the most good on those three fronts.”
Networked geothermal projects are being evaluated in man US states, including in Massachusetts and Maryland. The networked geothermal pilot project in Framingham, which went online in mid-2024, is a notable example of how customers can benefit from lower heating an cooling costs.
Source: Detroit News
