In this episode of Climate Positive, hosts Gil Jenkins and Guy Van Syckle chat with Zeyneb Magavi, Executive Director of HEET, a Massachusetts-based non-profit focused on designing a strategic evolution of aging gas systems into bidirectional ambient thermal grids, with the aim of driving rapid and equitable decarbonization of heating and cooling in urban areas. The enlivening conversation centers around the networked geothermal, a novel technology gaining traction nationwide that utilizes underground thermal energy systems to provide efficient and sustainable heating and cooling. Magavi breaks down how this innovative neighborhood-scale decarbonization solution works, highlights the business case, policy drivers, the benefits for communities, utilities, workers, and more.

Links:

• HEET Website
• Zeyneb Magavi on LinkedIn
• Zeyneb Magavi Bio
• HEET on  X
• HEET on  LinkedIn
• Article: Underground Thermal Energy Networks May Be About to Have Their Moment (Wall Street Journal, April 21, 2024)
• Article: How an Unlikely Coalition of Climate Activists and a Gas Utility Are Weaning a Boston Suburb Off Fossil Fuels (Inside Climate News, December 21, 2024)
• HEET Blog:  13 Massachusetts Communities Kickstart New Geothermal Networks with $450,000 in Funding from MassCEC (February 29, 2024)
• HEET Blog: Networked Geothermal: The National Picture (April 17, 2023)

Episode recorded December 17, 2024

Email your feedback to Chad, Gil, Hilary, and Guy at climatepositive@hasi.com.