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  • Eric Bosworth - Manager of Clean Technology at Eversource [Part 2]

    Eric Bosworth - Manager of Clean Technology at Eversource [Part 2]
    2025/05/15

    Hello folks,

    Welcome back to Part 2 of our conversation with Eric Bosworth (watch part 1 here).

    Eric is the Manager of Clean Technology at Eversource, his journey spanning oilfield engineering, utility infrastructure, and emerging decarbonization technologies. Currently, Eric leads efforts to pilot and scale alternatives to fossil gas - including hydrogen, carbon capture, and (most relevant) community-scale geothermal.

    He draws on field experience in oil and gas, system planning expertise from utility engineering, and a customer-first approach to identify and deploy the best-fit solutions across Eversource’s portfolio. Most notably, Eric led the development and execution of the Framingham geothermal pilot - one of the first utility-owned thermal energy networks in the United States.

    🧠 Highlights

    * Framingham's real-world data shows strong winter performance and customer satisfaction, even in extreme cold.

    * Scaling = viability: Networked geothermal shows falling marginal costs with larger customer bases.

    * Magic wand wish? Eric would create more drilling firms in the Northeast tomorrow; workforce gaps are the biggest blocker to scale.

    * Beyond boreholes: A future “thermal marketplace” could trade heat between buildings, pools, wastewater, and more.

    🔍 Where to Learn More

    * Project updates & background: eversource.com/geothermal

    * Find Eric on LinkedIn to connect and collaborate

    * Industry groups: Heat pump alliances, geothermal networks, utility decarbonization forums



    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit geothermalweekly.substack.com
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    37 分
  • [Part 1] Eric Bosworth - Manager of Clean Technology at Eversource

    [Part 1] Eric Bosworth - Manager of Clean Technology at Eversource
    2025/05/08
    Hi folks, We are back! This week, we’re bringing you part 1 of our conversation with Eric Bosworth!Eric is the Manager of Clean Technology at Eversource, his journey spanning oilfield engineering, utility infrastructure, and emerging decarbonization technologies. Currently, Eric leads efforts to pilot and scale alternatives to fossil gas - including hydrogen, carbon capture, and (most relevant) community-scale geothermal.He draws on field experience in oil and gas, system planning expertise from utility engineering, and a customer-first approach to identify and deploy the best-fit solutions across Eversource’s portfolio. Most notably, Eric led the development and execution of the Framingham geothermal pilot - one of the first utility-owned thermal energy networks in the United States.🧠 Highlights* Utility leadership in geothermal: Eversource demonstrates how utilities can leverage existing gas infrastructure expertise to deploy geothermal networks.* Framingham pilot as blueprint: A 140-customer, closed-loop system built within a mile-long loop highlights the viability of utility-owned thermal networks.* Permitting, community buy-in, and modeling: Success hinged on shallow bedrock, EJ-community alignment, and relentless community outreach paired with rigorous engineering modeling.🔧 Eric’s Journey into Geothermal* Started as a field engineer with an international oilfield services company Schlumberger (now SLB).* Transitioned back to the U.S., worked on gas engineering at Eversource.* Volunteered for clean tech efforts, leading Eversource's geothermal pilot.* Past drilling experience proved invaluable for utility-scale geothermal deployment.🏛 Role at Eversource: Clean Technology Strategy* Evaluates a suite of decarbonized solutions: geothermal, Renewable Natural Gas (RNG), hydrogen, carbon capture.* Applies a customer-centric framework to identify the right solution:* Geothermal fits for heating/cooling needs (residential, mixed-use, commercial).* Molecule-based solutions like hydrogen/RNG better suit high-heat industrial customers.🧪 Inside the Framingham Geothermal Pilot* 140 customers across 36 buildings in Framingham, MA.* Closed-loop system with 90 boreholes in a ~1-mile loop.* Launched via a 2019 gas rate case (a utility-regulator process to approve capital projects).Why Framingham?* Environmental Justice community - aligned with equity goals.* Shallow bedrock (~30 ft) - reduced casing costs and improved heat transfer.* Strong community partner - city support and diverse building mix (residential, commercial, housing authority).📊 Site Selection + Modeling Process* Screening: Load mix, street space, depth to bedrock, customer interest.* Test boreholes post-selection to verify thermal properties.* Thermal network design:* Borehole spacing (20-25 ft) and placement modeled for loop stability.* Minimized thermal drift across customers in the network loop.* Tools used (via external Professional Engineering firm):* Borefield performance simulators* Transient energy modeling for pipes* Building load analysis🏗 Construction & Bidding ExecutionBidding Strategy:* Split into 3 scopes:* Drilling* Loop infrastructure (high density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe, mains, pump house)* Building conversion (heat pumps, ductwork, electrical)* Flexibility: Bidders could propose on full or partial scopes.* Winning bidder was a long-time gas pipeline contractor — installation process nearly identical to gas.Operations Notes:* Pipe used is standard HDPE, just black with “geothermal” instead of yellow gas striping.* General Contractor model used: prime contractor oversaw subcontractors for drilling, instrumentation, etc.📣 Customer Outreach StrategyChallenges:* Knocking on doors as a utility = skepticism.Strategy:* Repurposed internal sales and marketing team to act as geothermal outreach reps.* Delivered:* Multilingual fact sheets, door hangers, community meetings and engagement.* Check out our podcast with Jen Wakeland to learn more about how geothermal energy can engage well with local communities.* Hosted Q&As to build trust and clarity.* Leveraged city of Framingham as a key ally for legitimacy and communication.* You can also see their website here.📝 Permitting in Massachusetts* Closed-loop geothermal = low regulatory friction.* Approval via city council and conservation commission.* No extensive state or environmental hurdles.* Easier than other states like NY, which previously required mining permits for deep drilling.🛠 Lessons for Developers & Financiers* Utilities can deploy geothermal using existing gas pipeline teams - shared skillsets and tooling.* Shallow bedrock drastically reduces costs - site selection must prioritize geology.* Community trust must be earned - requires persistent, multi-channel communication.* Permitting varies widely by state - closed-loop systems often face fewer barriers.* Thermal network design is nontrivial - must model pipe loss, load variance, and peak ...
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    24 分
  • Michael Brookman - Quaise Energy's Senior RF Engineer

    Michael Brookman - Quaise Energy's Senior RF Engineer
    2025/04/17
    In this episode, I sit down with Michael Brookman, a seasoned physicist whose career has spanned from nuclear fusion research to pioneering advancements in geothermal energy. Currently serving as a Senior Radio-Frequency (RF) Engineer at Quaise Energy, Michael focuses on leveraging RF technology to revolutionize geothermal energy production.Episode Highlights:* Michael's Journey: From his early days studying physics at the University of Wisconsin to his pivotal roles in nuclear fusion projects across the U.S., including his tenure at General Atomics and Commonwealth Fusion Systems.​* Transition to Geothermal: The motivations and insights that led Michael to shift from fusion to geothermal energy, emphasizing the potential for immediate impact, reduced cost, and scalability.​* Innovative Drilling Techniques: An exploration of how Quaise Energy is adapting gyrotron technology—originally used in fusion reactors—to drill deep into the Earth's crust using millimeter waves, enabling access to superhot geothermal resources. ​* Overcoming Challenges: A discussion on the technical and regulatory hurdles in advancing geothermal technology and how Michael's team is addressing them.​Join us as we delve into the intersection of fusion and geothermal technologies and discover how innovations in one field can catalyze breakthroughs in another.Thanks for reading The Geothermal Energy Newsletter! Subscribe for free to receive our new posts and podcast weekly!🧭 Michael’s Journey: From Shotgun Accident to Fusion Physicist* Survived a childhood hunting accident, discovered fusion through video games like MechWarrior and Civilization.* Studied physics at University of Wisconsin (working on the Madison Symmetric Torus), then UT Austin for PhD (with Ken Gentle’s group)* Specialized in RF systems and gyrotrons at General Atomics (working on their tokamak, DIII-D) and Commonwealth Fusion Systems.🔁 Why the Leap from Fusion to Geothermal?* Quase’s 2030 timeline is half that of fusion’s long timelines (2035+).* Geothermal works now, and Quaise aims for <$75/MWh vs. fusion’s projected $140–$500/MWh.* Inspired by How Big Things Get Done—modularity is key to scaling - many gyrotrons making many wells.💡 What is Quaise Doing?Goal: Unlock superhot geothermal by drilling with millimeter waves.The Tech:* Gyrotrons generate high-power millimeter waves that can drill through rock; basically they’re laser beams.* Current testing shows drilling to be at a rate of a meter per hour.* Power is transmitted through corrugated waveguides to vaporize rock—no conventional drill bits needed, avoiding typical wear and tear, bit trucking.* Uses compressed air to cool and clear debris from the hole.* See a video of the drilling in action here. Learn more about the research here.If you’ve read this far, you’ll like our future posts too : )🔬 Tech Challenges and Evolution* Managing arcing (essentially current hopping about the system in potentially damaging ways) in high-power systems (shutoff within 10 microseconds).* System resilience: Quaise’s protection systems and control software allow for long, stable runtimes—orders of magnitude longer than fusion pulses.* Powering the system: Needs ~3 MW input for 1 MW output (~40% efficiency). Can use diesel generators or grid, all containerized on trucks.* Manufacturing bottleneck: Gyrotrons are custom-built. Quaise works with Microwave Power Products to scale production.⚙️ Why Superhot Rock?* Electricity generated by heating water, putting it through a turbine, extracting power from the temperature & pressure drop - Higher input temperatures and lower output temperatures → higher thermodynamic efficiency* More energy per well = higher power density = more competitive with fossil and nuclear.🧱 Barriers to Scale* Permitting takes 12+ months—slower than oil & gas (<12 months).* Goal: modernize geothermal permitting to match its competitors.📈 What’s Next?* Near-term: Field deployment west of Austin, TX using 1 MW gyrotrons in truck-mounted systems.* Target: Delivering power in 5 years on the West Coast at scale; global expansion beyond that.* Long-term goals:* Scaling 1 MW gyrotrons (faster, deeper drilling) and drilling into hot basement rock (granite, basalt).* Lower cost per megawatt-hour to compete with all major energy sources✨ Magic Wand Wish:Fix permitting. It’s the single biggest blocker to faster geothermal deployment.📚 Learn More🔗 https://www.quaise.energyRemember to:And follow us on your favorite platforms in addition to sharing your thoughts, questions, and recommendations for future guests on:* Substack* Spotify* Apple Music* Amazon This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit geothermalweekly.substack.com
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    33 分
  • Jen Wakeland - Strategic Development Director of Beaver County, Utah

    Jen Wakeland - Strategic Development Director of Beaver County, Utah
    2025/04/10
    Beaver County, Utah is a rural region making big moves in geothermal — home to legacy power from Blundell, research leadership through FORGE, EGS development from Fervo Energy, and AGS innovation via Rodatherm.In this episode, we talk with Jen Wakeland, Strategic Development Director of Beaver County, Utah, in her last few weeks in the role before transitioning to working for the Utah Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity as the Business Development Director. In our conversation, breaks down how this momentum happened, what developers need to know about working in rural communities, and how infrastructure, permitting, and community trust all converge in a place like Beaver.🔍 Topics covered — with actionable insights:How Beaver became development-ready:* Legacy geothermal (Blundell) built long-term technical capacity* FORGE helped de-risk local resources and validate commercial potential* Local land use plans and zoning evolved to support new industries like data centersWhat developers get right (and wrong) when entering a rural region:* Start early, be transparent, and show up in person — relationships are non-negotiable* Hire local when possible to create early advocates and community trust* Bring challenges to the county — staff can often solve more than you’d expectInfrastructure challenges tackled head-on:* Housing: Coordinated residential development and temporary RV sites for construction crews* Workforce: Planning for both short-term labor and long-term population growth* Transmission: Collaborating with local offtakers (like data centers) to reduce export dependence and boost resilienceThanks for reading The Geothermal Energy Newsletter! Subscribe for free to receive our new posts and podcast weekly!Keeping cities, counties, and the state aligned:* Monthly economic development boards with reps from schools, towns, and state agencies* Direct lines to BLM, utilities, and legislators for rapid problem-solving* Shared public milestones (like casing ceremonies) to reinforce buy-inThe roadmap for being a good community partner:* Be visible at local events — rodeos, Pioneer Day, the county fair* Communicate openly about seismicity, water use, and system monitoring* Engage across the full ecosystem — not just during permitting🎧 If you're building geothermal or siting clean energy in rural America, this episode shows what real alignment looks like — and why it matters.Remember to share your thoughts via comments and ratings, subscribe, and find us on your favorite platforms:* Substack* Spotify* Apple Music* Amazon This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit geothermalweekly.substack.com
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    1 時間 4 分
  • [Part 2] Ken Wisian - Associate Director of the Bureau of Economic Geology with the University of Texas at Austin

    [Part 2] Ken Wisian - Associate Director of the Bureau of Economic Geology with the University of Texas at Austin
    2025/04/03
    In Part 2 of my conversation with Dr. Ken Wisian, we discuss the challenges and opportunities facing geothermal development in the U.S.We cover why geothermal has historically lagged behind wind and solar, how federal and state programs are changing the economics, and what it will take to move from exploration to execution. Topics include Department of Defense projects, geothermal storage, long-term technical risks, and how public funding is shaping the next wave of deployment.🔍 Topics covered:* Why geothermal investment has lagged wind and solar — and what’s changing now* The importance of derisking early-stage projects through mapping and modeling* The Department of Defense’s evolving role in geothermal:* Feasibility studies at Ellington Field, Corpus Christi, and Fort Bliss* Behind-the-meter models and long-term resilience* Tradewinds geothermal portal (see more on recent developments here) and SBIR/STTR pathways* Subsurface energy storage:* The Sage–San Miguel project in Texas* How shallow systems store pressure/heat and complement renewables* Use cases for turning intermittent generation into baseload* Long-term technical risks and research priorities:* Cycling effects on fractures and elastic rock behavior* Geochemistry, mineral scaling, and fluid/rock interactions* Materials science and thermoelectric research* Mentioned Researchers/Research:* Ken Wisian* FORGE Initiative* Eric van Oort* Mohamed Shafik Khaled* Shuvajit Bhattacharya* The role of machine learning in geothermal:* Merging disparate subsurface datasets* Downhole diagnostics and predictive modeling* How aerospace, high-temp electronics, and defense R&D could transfer into geothermal* Ken’s advice for navigating SBIR, STTR, and federal grant programs* Why interdisciplinary teams — blending engineering, geology, economics, and policy — are key to project executionIf you’re building geothermal solutions or considering a project, this episode offers a practical look at what’s working, what’s coming next, and where developers can plug in.PS - if you’d like to check out Part 1, see below: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit geothermalweekly.substack.com
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    48 分
  • [Part 1] Ken Wisian - Associate Director of the Bureau of Economic Geology with the University of Texas at Austin

    [Part 1] Ken Wisian - Associate Director of the Bureau of Economic Geology with the University of Texas at Austin
    2025/03/27

    In Part One of this conversation, Dr. Ken Wisian shares his journey from a multi-decade military career to leading geothermal research at the Bureau of Economic Geology. We explore how his background in physics, geology, and disaster response informs his work today, dive into Texas’s geothermal potential, and unpack the origins of Project Innerspace and its role in accelerating geothermal innovation. Ken also explains why geothermal has kept his interest for decades, what makes it uniquely interdisciplinary, and how new drilling technologies are expanding where and how we can harness heat—on Earth and even in space.



    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit geothermalweekly.substack.com
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    55 分
  • Bill Heins - Chief Geoscientist of Getech

    Bill Heins - Chief Geoscientist of Getech
    2025/03/20

    Geothermal energy is poised for a revolution, and it all starts beneath our feet. Bill Heins, a licensed professional geologist with over 35 years of experience, joins the show to break down the challenges and opportunities in geothermal drilling and exploration. From his time at ExxonMobil to his current work at Getech and Ammonite Resources, Bill has tackled complex subsurface problems across the energy sector.

    In this episode, we explore the role of advanced modeling, geophysical techniques, and risk analysis in unlocking geothermal potential, how lessons from oil and gas are driving innovation, and why deep drilling and data-driven exploration could be the key to scaling geothermal as a reliable energy source.



    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit geothermalweekly.substack.com
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    1 時間 7 分