The Project Negatherm Report

Abstract

It is often said that the most efficient power plant is the one that does not have to be built. The large-scale adoption of Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP) within California would result in the “subtraction” of energy demand, help greatly to meet green house gas emission reduction targets, and ease pressure both on the natural gas infrastructure and electrical grid. Project Negatherm is a systematic study of the single biggest inhibitor to GSHP adoption: the drilling of ground loop boreholes. Concentrating upon the key enabling production group, drilling contractors, this CEC GRDA study focuses on the issues the drilling community faces and presents an actionable plan to move forward. Faster, cheaper, more reliable, less disruptive drilling is central to market acceptance, but current resources are relatively scarce, expensive, unreliable and disruptive. The Project Negatherm Report defines and breaks down the stumbling blocks to drilling GSHP boreholes by investigating specific regulatory, technological and financial hurdles across California. Featuring surveys and interviews of consumers and key representatives of the drilling and GSHP communities, “Negatherm” pinpoints areas for improving interactions between government, utilities, business, educators and the public and delivers detailed recommendations for regulatory reform, best practices and information sharing