NYSEG Launches Geothermal Testing Pilot to Support Ithaca Green New Deal

Company partners with Sciencenter on geothermal groundwater well testing

Effort is part of NYSEG’s investment to decarbonize Ithaca to achieve their climate goals


ITHACA, NY — March 28, 2024 — New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) and the Ithaca Sciencenter have coordinated a unique opportunity for NYSEG to utilize existing geothermal wells to determine the design of the proposed Utility Thermal Energy Network (UTEN) pilot project in Ithaca, an innovative project to provide an alternative to natural gas for heating without increasing demand on the electricity grid. NYSEG tested a pump on one of the Ithaca Sciencenter’s existing geothermal wells. The results of the testing will help NYSEG better understand the thermal capacity of the groundwater resource in the area for NYSEG’s proposed Ithaca UTEN Pilot Project.

“This pump test will give us a better understanding of the thermal resource potential of the local groundwater,” said Cole Burgess, project manager of Utility Thermal Energy Networks for NYSEG.

For NYSEG’s proposed UTEN pilot project in Ithaca, groundwater heat exchangers in wells will exchange thermal energy with a separate piping network connecting all the participating buildings. The geothermal heat pumps (or ground-source heat pumps) installed inside buildings will connect to NYSEG’s thermal energy network resulting in the most efficient, non-combustion heating and cooling system available. This proposed UTEN is more efficient than traditional building electrification options because the network shares thermal resources between buildings and utilizes the constant groundwater temperature as the basis for heating and cooling. The UTEN would replace existing natural gas heating systems in the proposed buildings. Crews will test an existing geothermal well at the Sciencenter to determine the thermal capacity of the groundwater resource in the area.

“Our team is pleased to continue the efforts to help our community partners reach their clean energy goals,” said Dan Addy, Business Manager and Financial Secretary of the Local 10 IBEW for NYSEG.

The effort is part of NYSEG’s investment to support Ithaca’s Green New Deal which is the city’s commitment to address climate change, striving for carbon neutrality and 100 percent clean, renewable energy by 2030.

“The Sciencenter is looking at ways to achieve our clean energy goals by electrifying our HVAC system,” said Michelle Kortenaar, Executive Director of the Sciencenter. “We are exploring options for "green," electrified systems to replace our old, fossil fuel-based HVAC and to achieve our goal of lessening our impact on the environment while helping the public learn about environmental stewardship through our educational activities.”

“I look forward to this collaboration between NYSEG and the Ithaca Sciencenter which will help the City of Ithaca to achieve its goal of solely utilizing clean renewable energy by 2030,” said Senator Lea Webb. “The Utility Thermal Energy Network (UTEN) Pilot Project is an international example of how local utility companies can work together with the community to ensure proper education regarding natural resources. I am happy to support this project and the transition of Ithaca to a more environmentally-friendly city for all residents.”

“We all know the rubber has hit the road with climate change and inaction or slow walking actions means complicity, plain and simple. I was honored to support the Utility Thermal Network Jobs Act in 2022 that opened the door for utilities to advance infrastructure investments in renewable energy infrastructure and I’m proud to see it coming to fruition in our community,” said Assemblymember Dr. Anna Kelles. “The advancement of the Utility Thermal Energy Network (UTEN) pilot proposed by NYSEG at the Ithaca Sciencenter, is a prime example of what I was hoping to see manifest and is an important step for the City of Ithaca to reach its nation leading Green New Deal Goals.”

"We are excited by the potential impact of this important project in the City of Ithaca. The technology is promising and, if successful, could rapidly accelerate progress on the Ithaca Green New Deal and building electrification,” said Ithaca Mayor Robert G. Cantelmo. “Ithacans recognize the environmental imperative for investing in the infrastructure necessary to move New York toward renewable energy. We look forward to working with NYSEG and sharing our learnings with residents and other NYS communities."

“We are grateful to NYSEG for investing in this geothermal demonstration project, which will benefit the community and Sciencenter, and better help us understand how our businesses can make energy transitions more feasible,” said Jennifer Tavares, Tompkins Chamber President and CEO. “Transforming our energy supply and usage patterns on the aggressive timelines set out by our local and State governments is a huge challenge which requires collaboration, innovation, and investment – and hopefully this project will bring us one step closer.”

NYSEG will evaluate test results and share with the Sciencenter which will provide additional information for their decision on a new fully electrified HVAC system. NYSEG continues to make advancements in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, by proposing innovative projects like this to help meet New York State’s clean energy goals.

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