A Framingham geothermal gas replacement project showcases low-carbon neighborhood-scale heating and cooling infrastructure.
In a quiet neighborhood of Framingham, Massachusetts, an innovative geothermal gas replacement project is challenging the traditional fossil fuel infrastructure. A newly installed geothermal loop system is transforming how buildings are heated and cooled, offering a potential blueprint for widespread energy transition.
Unlike typical geothermal installations serving single buildings, Framingham’s system operates as a neighborhood-scale thermal energy network to replace gas infrastructure. The project spans a mile-long loop with 90 boreholes drilled 600 to 700 feet underground, connecting a diverse range of local structures, including a fire hall, school, gas station, cabinet shop, elderly housing, and 22 residential units.
The system began operations in August, cooling during New England’s summer heat. The same infrastructure will reverse its operation as winter approaches, extracting heat to warm local buildings. Heat pumps in each building facilitate this thermal exchange, moving heat between the buildings and the underground loop, the geothermal gas replacement being a stark alternative to traditional gas heating.
This project represents more than a technical innovation. It signals a potential strategic pivot for gas utilities facing increasing pressure to decarbonize, with geothermal gas replacement strategies gaining traction. Eversource, the Boston-based energy provider driving the Framingham project, has seen remarkable community interest. Forty residents signed up on the first day of enrollment, with only one customer declining to join the network.
The technology also addresses broader environmental and economic challenges. The geothermal network offers a multifaceted approach to sustainable urban energy management by reducing electricity consumption and minimizing infrastructure expansion. Local governments and utility planners are closely watching the Framingham project as a potential model for future energy infrastructure redesign.
The enthusiasm extends beyond Framingham. Similar geothermal loop projects are developing in New York and Minnesota, with more than half a dozen initiatives in various stages of planning. Worldwide, hundreds of geothermal networks already demonstrate the feasibility of geothermal as a viable gas replacement system.

Key to the project’s significance is its potential to realign utility business models. Traditionally, gas utilities have resisted electrification efforts. However, networked geothermal creates a pathway that keeps utility workers employed while transitioning away from fossil fuels.
“You’ve given a company that was just focused on natural gas a new life to be an active participant in this energy transition,” says Nikki Bruno, Eversource vice president leading decarbonization strategy.
The environmental benefits are substantial. Geothermal heat pumps consume significantly less electricity compared to air-source alternatives. During August testing, neighboring buildings with air-source heat pumps likely used twice as much electricity as the geothermal system. The underground loop allows for more efficient heat transfer, reducing energy consumption and providing a compelling argument to replace gas infrastructure.
A November 2023 report from Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory underscores the potential impact. Implementing geothermal gas replacement systems in 70 percent of US buildings could save 593 terawatt-hours of electricity annually and reduce the need for new long-distance power lines by 33 percent.
The project emerged from an unexpected source. HEET, a Boston-based climate group originally known for highlighting gas network hazards, pivoted to promoting networked geothermal as a viable alternative. Zeyneb Magavi, HEET’s executive director, emphasizes the system’s cyclical nature: “Some of the heat that’s getting pushed into the ground right now will be used when we switch to heating buildings.”
Challenges remain. The up-front costs of drilling and installing geothermal gas replacement networks are significant. A nearby National Grid project in Lowell stalled due to higher-than-expected installation expenses. However, proponents view such setbacks as learning opportunities in developing clean energy systems that can effectively replace gas infrastructure.
See also: Learning about Geothermal Energy at the Source.
HEET has equipped the Framingham system with extensive sensor networks to validate the approach. Research partners, including Boston University, University of California, Berkeley, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, will track energy flows, subsurface temperature changes, and system performance.
Eversource is simultaneously analyzing the comprehensive cost picture, considering not just direct installation and maintenance expenses but also potential savings from reducing gas infrastructure and power line construction.
The Framingham project represents more than a technical experiment. It offers a tangible model for reimagining energy infrastructure, demonstrating how utilities can transform their operations while addressing climate challenges. As communities and energy providers seek sustainable solutions, networked geothermal gas replacement emerges as a promising pathway toward decarbonization and moving beyond traditional gas systems.
The project’s success could have far-reaching implications for urban energy policy. By providing a practical, scalable alternative to fossil fuel heating, the Framingham geothermal gas replacement network might accelerate the transition to more sustainable energy infrastructure across the United States. As climate concerns intensify and technological innovations continue, such community-driven approaches could be crucial in reshaping how cities approach energy production and consumption.