Geothermal heat pump specialist Dandelion Energy (Dandelion) has announced a collaboration with natural gas company Vermont Gas Systems (VGS) to bring geothermal heating and cooling to the Riggs Meadow affordable housing development in Hinesburg, Vermont in the United States. VGS will provide the upfront cost for the project while Dandelion will serve as the end-to-end geothermal partner.
Drilling of the geothermal boreholes is expected to start in early 2027, with residents occupying the homes later in the same year.
Riggs Meadow will feature 44 townhomes and apartments designed for low- and moderate-income renters and owners. Affordable housing developers Champlain Housing Trust and Evernorth worked with VGS to explore geothermal heating and cooling options, and a partnership with Dandelion Energy was formed.
The project is a first of its kind in the US, as the model features a natural gas utility investing in geothermal systems for its residential customers. As stated by VGS President & CEO Neale Lunderville, “geothermal is one of the best solutions we have to make cost-effective, renewable heating and cooling options accessible to more Vermonters.”
Back in 2023, VGS had already announced an intention to develop a business model and explore possible sites for its first networked geothermal project. The partnership with Dandelion represents significance progress of these plans. The project would also be a good example of a business model where the geothermal system is owned by the local utility company.
With utility investment in individual ground loops, affordable housing developers can bring the benefits of geothermal to their projects. This is also in line with Dandelion’s mission of making geothermal heating and cooling accessible to all.
“This partnership with utilities like VGS helps us expand geothermal access and continues to help us make this a standard, mainstream solution for developers and builders,” said Dan Yates, CEO of Dandelion Energy.
“Utility-owned ground loops are a practical, immediate solution to decarbonize housing. We are proud to support and validate this model that aligns utility infrastructure investment with equitable, clean energy access.”
Source: Dandelion Energy via PRNewswire
