Climate Action Innovations in the works

HVAC systems in buildings and industry are a very large part of the Decarbonization Challenge. Advanced HVAC systems such as Geothermal Heat Pumps (GHP) are one of the key solutions required for a Cost-Effective and Rapid Decarbonization effort. However, GHP in its current form is both costly and uniquely site disruptive. Based in part on technology coming from DOE’s Oak Ridge National Lab, Ground Coupled Thermal Batteries are the next generation GHP solutions that will help solve the final decarbonization barrier — how to afford expansion of the grid for broad electrification. Thermal Batteries bring maximal value not just to buildings and campuses, but also to all parts of the Clean Energy grid by absorbing and time-shifting all the low-cost power available at times of peak sun and peak wind when loads do not meet production, storing that energy for use when load exceeds production. We bring novel installation technology for these new Thermal Batteries to install them in overburden to any reasonable depth as shown here for at MIT with its 100’+ fully saturated coastal overburden. These low-cost and low-site-impact Thermal Batteries will be a significant part of the overall Societal Decarbonization effort.