A recent study by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has shown that widespread implementation of geothermal heat pumps, in combination with building envelope enhancements, has the potential to significantly impact annual electricity consumption and carbon emissions in the United States.
The analysis revealed that if geothermal heat pumps were installed in approximately 70% of buildings across the country, it could result in a staggering 593 terawatt-hours of electricity generation being saved each year by 2050. Furthermore, this mass deployment could also prevent seven gigatons of carbon-equivalent emissions.
Jonathan Ho, the lead NREL researcher for the analysis, emphasized the impact of these potential energy savings, stating that 593 terawatt-hours is equivalent to about 15% of the current annual electricity demand in the United States.
The study also indicated that the installation of geothermal heat pumps could lead to a reduction in the need for new grid transmission lines, saving an estimated 24,500 miles of new grid transmission lines from being constructed—approximately the equivalent of crossing the United States eight times.
Additionally, the analysis highlighted the broader benefits of geothermal heat pump installations, with the technology offering potential benefits to all electricity consumers, regardless of their ability to install geothermal heat pumps themselves. Geothermal heat pumps have the potential to significantly reduce the electricity demand while minimizing carbon emissions in the building sector.
Furthermore, widespread adoption of geothermal heat pumps could lead to the creation of new jobs, as most of the equipment for the U.S. market is made locally.
The analysis supports the conclusion that geothermal heat pumps are a key strategy for reducing carbon emissions and meeting the nation’s energy needs while creating new jobs and providing energy savings to Americans across the country. This aligns with the U.S. Department of Energy’s goal of promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy.
