A project launched on July 28th by the Boston Green Ribbon Commission is exploring the feasibility of creating thermal energy networks to heat and cool the city’s hospitals, universities, and other large institutions. According to a report by Craig LeMoult for GBH, the “hope is to develop efficient networks to distribute thermal energy in a way that could lower the institutions’ emissions and reduce their reliance on gas and electricity while also saving them money.”
Thermal networks in the waters of Boston Harbor, Fort Point Channel, and the Charles and Mystic Rivers have the potential of transforming our energy systems. The year-long project, Boston Area Thermal Energy Network—BosTEN—would create an expandable linkage of nodes throughout the city for network-based, ocean-based thermal energy.
Mayor Michelle Wu is quoted in the article: “Our rivers and harbor have long been the spirit of our city. They’re where we swim with our kids, kayak with our friends, gather with our neighbors. And now we’re off to find out if the thermal energy there can power our homes and businesses more efficiently and more affordably than ever before.”
Updates to follow.