Geothermal heat pumps can help advance US clean energy goals: Study
![Geothermal heat pumps can help advance US clean energy goals: Study](https://sustainabilityeconomicsnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/178721.jpg)
A comprehensive study prepared by Oak Ridge National Laboratory has unveiled the transformative potential of geothermal heat pumps (GHPs) across the United States.
The study delves into the implications of mass GHP deployment on the national grid. The findings reveal several benefits, including economic and environmental advancement.
The report studied three key scenarios:
- Base Scenario: Maintaining the current grid infrastructure
- Grid Decarbonization Scenario: Aimed at achieving 95% grid emissions reductions by 2035 and 100% clean electricity by 2050.
- Electrification Futures Study Scenario: To include broad electrification across various sectors, including building heating.
The study showed that deploying approximately 5 million GHPs annually can yield substantial benefits such as system cost savings, consumer fuel cost savings, and CO2 emission reductions.
Key benefits of GHP deployment
Grid cost reduction: GHP deployment can allow system cost savings on the grid of over $300 billion by 2050.
Consumer savings: Fuel cost savings are projected to reach $19 billion annually by 2050.
Emissions reduction: GHP deployment could reduce CO2 emissions by 7,351 million metric tons from 2022 to 2050.
Reduction in generation requirements: By 2050, 593 TWh/year less generation is required in the Grid Decarbonization scenario, and 937 TWh/year less generation is needed for the EFS scenario. These results represent reductions in overall generation requirements of 11% and 13%, respectively.
Reduction in transmission infrastructure expansion: The deployment of GHPs will significantly diminish the necessity for expanding transmission infrastructure, reducing requirements by 33% under the Grid Decarbonization scenario and by 38% under the EFS scenario. This translates to approximately 24,500 miles of transmission under the Grid Decarbonization scenario and nearly double that, around 43,500 miles, under the EFS scenario.
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