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New Analysis Highlights Geothermal Heat Pumps as Key Opportunity in Switch to Clean Energy

Summary

The article discusses a new analysis from Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and NREL emphasizing geothermal heat pumps as a crucial element in transitioning to clean energy. The analysis suggests that deploying geothermal heat pumps in around 70% of U.S. buildings, combined with building envelope improvements, could save 593 terawatt-hours of electricity and avoid seven gigatons of carbon-equivalent emissions by 2050. This amounts to approximately 15% of the current annual electricity demand in the United States. The article outlines the efficiency of geothermal heat pumps, their potential to reduce the need for new grid transmission lines, and their significant contributions to decarbonizing the building sector while creating local jobs.

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