Consumers Energy is considering a geothermal project for Michigan.
The utility that provides gas and electric service throughout the state, including in much of Van Buren County, has been granted permission from the Michigan Public Service Commission to conduct a feasibility study about the potential implementation of a network geothermal system in areas it serves. Consumers spokesperson Tracy Wimmer tells us the systems we’re talking about here aren’t the same as larger geothermal facilities you’ll find out west.
“Basically, it’s using heated pipes that bring water through a pump up into a home that it is heated or cooled based on the temperature of the earth underground, which is a relatively stable temperature,” Wimmer said.
Wimmer says this permission from the MPSC is only the first step.
“We want to take a look at where do we know, based on data from other companies, it tends to be the best place to do it. And we know that’s in urbanized or metropolitan areas where you have a lot of homes alongside businesses and it’s essentially you’re looking for places that you know that neighborhood has a lot of diverse energy needs.”
If the feasibility study goes well, Consumers will seek permission to conduct a pilot.
Wimmer says Consumers Energy is looking at geothermal power because it greatly reduces emissions and costs. She says this is another way the utility can reach its goal of reducing emissions from heating homes in Michigan by 17% by 2030.
This would be the company’s first geothermal system in the state.
