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Holy Cross and Clear outline geothermal and thermal network options for Carbondale
Summary
Representatives from Holy Cross Energy and nonprofit energy group CLEAR briefed the board on geothermal thermal-energy networks and how long-duration thermal storage combined with batteries and demand response could help decarbonize heating and balance local renewable supply.
Representatives of Holy Cross Energy and the nonprofit Clean Energy for the Lower Valley (CLEAR) presented April 9 on opportunities for geothermal and thermal-energy networks linked to local electrification and long-duration storage options.
Brian Hannigan, a Holy Cross representative, summarized the cooperative’s recent progress in cutting the electricity supply’s carbon intensity and noted the utility’s regional clean-energy strategy. “We have been able to maintain our electric rates at about 11¢ per kilowatt hour,” Hannigan said, citing Holy Cross’s low rate and rising carbon‑free supply percentages. He described the utility’s battery and solar programs, rooftop and distributed battery incentives, and a “Power Plus” battery offer that pairs home batteries with utility-managed demand response credits.
Holy Cross and CLEAR described thermal-energy networks — systems that store heat or coolth in water, the ground or other media — as a promising complement to electric heat pumps and batteries. Hannigan and Lauren (CLEAR) explained thermal networks can act as long-duration storage: excess renewable electricity can be converted into heat and stored in subsurface reservoirs or thermal loops, then reused for building heating, reducing peak electric demand and the need for gas-fired backup.
CLEAR staff said they completed a geothermal feasibility and design study for the Third Street Center and have been participating in statewide cohorts evaluating community-scale thermal systems. The CLEAR presentation noted the study did not receive Department of Energy grant funding but yielded lessons for future retrofits and new builds, and that retrofit costs and project timing remain sensitive to national equipment and trade tariffs.
Board members discussed potential local opportunities: the town’s wastewater treatment and sewer plant and potential new development areas could supply waste heat or demand-side load that make a thermal network more economical. Holy Cross said it has a community-energy-systems representative (Jeanette Paducas) available to coordinate with municipalities and stressed earlier involvement in planning and design improves outcomes and lowers cost.
Trustees asked to keep conversations active and recommended early engagement of utilities at the planning stage for district or neighborhood developments. Holy Cross said it is open to partnering on pilot projects in the region and emphasized matching the timing of investments with market conditions to control costs.
The briefing did not include a formal vote; trustees asked staff to continue discussions with Holy Cross and CLEAR on feasibility and coordination.
