打破天然氣依賴，美國試點地源熱泵技術

隨著全球氣候變遷，無論是在酷暑開冷氣，還是在寒冬開暖氣，當我們看到能源帳單時，總不免感到震驚。然而，在地底深處的溫度全年保持在約12°C左右。若能善用地源熱泵技術，室內溫度便能在一年四季間保持舒適，並且減少碳排放。

With global climate change, whether we are turning on the air conditioner in the scorching summer or turning on the heating in the cold winter, we are always shocked when we see our energy bills. However, temperatures deep underground remain at about 12°C year-round. If you can make good use of ground source heat pump technology, indoor temperatures can be maintained comfortable throughout the year and carbon emissions can be reduced.

地源熱泵取代天然氣管線：節能減碳的雙效解決方案

據《Grist》報導，美國麻州弗雷明漢（Framingham）啟動了全美首個地源熱泵示範街區計畫，將地底的天然氣管線替換為地源熱泵調節管線，覆蓋31棟民宅和5棟商業建築，既能應對冬夏的溫差，又能節能減碳。這項技術雖非新創，但天然氣公司首次採用這項技術，不僅提供了新的商業模式，對電力公司而言，這也是邁向淨零排放的良機。

Ground source heat pump replaces natural gas pipelines: a dual-effect solution for energy conservation and carbon reduction

According to "Grist", Framingham, Massachusetts, has launched the nation's first geothermal heat pump demonstration block project, replacing underground natural gas pipelines with geothermal heat pump regulating pipelines, covering 31 residential buildings and 5 commercial buildings. It can not only cope with the temperature difference between winter and summer, but also save energy and reduce carbon emissions. Although this technology is not new, it is the first time that a natural gas company has adopted this technology. It not only provides a new business model, but also represents a good opportunity for power companies to move towards net-zero emissions.

地源熱泵系統利用地底穩定的溫度進行能量交換。據《WBUR》報導，Eversource Energy在麻州的計畫深入地下182至213公尺，總計鑽88個孔。Eversource清潔技術部門經理Eric Bosworth解釋，這系統本質上是社區內一系列的管道和孔洞用來移轉熱能，就像鑽水井，只是以斜角鑽孔。

Ground source heat pump systems use the stable temperature of the ground to exchange energy. According to "WBUR", Eversource Energy's project in Massachusetts penetrates 182 to 213 meters underground and drills a total of 88 holes. Eric Bosworth, manager of Eversource's clean technology division, explained that the system is essentially a series of pipes and holes in the community used to transfer heat energy, just like drilling water wells, but at an angle.

地源熱泵的潛力：高效能、低碳排

根據《Grist》報導，地源熱泵系統的「性能係數」（COP）為6，即每投入1個單位的能量，可產生6個單位的熱量，相比之下，燃氣暖爐的COP小於1，顯示地源熱泵能效明顯較高。美國能源部的數據顯示，建築物排放約占美國總排放量的三分之一，而地源熱泵可大幅減少建築物的碳排放。

同時，據《Canary Media》報導，美國建築物逐漸從化石燃料轉向電力取暖和降溫，但隨著燃料成本上升，電費增加也讓消費者負擔加重。美國能源部估計，若在全美廣泛應用地源熱泵系統，可顯著減少電力需求並降低用戶電費。

挑戰與前景：高昂成本與法規障礙

The potential of ground source heat pumps: high efficiency, low carbon emissions

According to "Grist", the "Coefficient of Performance" (COP) of a ground source heat pump system is 6, which means that for every unit of energy invested, 6 units of heat can be generated. In contrast, the COP of a gas heater is less than 1, indicating that the energy efficiency of a ground source heat pump is significantly higher. Building emissions account for about one-third of total U.S. emissions, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, and geothermal heat pumps can significantly reduce a building's carbon emissions.

At the same time, according to "Canary Media", American buildings are gradually switching from fossil fuels to electric heating and cooling, but as fuel costs rise, rising electricity bills also increase the burden on consumers. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that if ground-source heat pump systems are widely used across the United States, they can significantly reduce electricity demand and lower user electricity bills.

Eversource在弗雷明漢的地源熱泵項目預算約為1800萬美元，管線將穿越街區主幹道，連接36棟建築。雖然長期來看，將維護老舊天然氣管線的經費轉為投資較環保的熱泵系統可能更具經濟效益，但新系統的最終成本對用戶來說仍有待觀察。

事實上，這一地源熱泵系統的構想約五、六年前由非營利氣候解決方案孵化器HEET Labs推動，遊說各大電力公司採用。據《CBC》報導，地源熱泵與天然氣的基礎設施相似，但利用的是地底熱源，而非天然氣，更加環保。系統初期安裝成本較高，完全由電力公司承擔有些困難，因此Eversource提供優惠，以吸引用戶參與計畫。

Challenges and Prospects: High Costs and Regulatory Barriers

Eversource's geothermal heat pump project in Framingham has a budget of approximately $18 million. The pipeline will cross the main street of the neighborhood and connect 36 buildings. While it may be more economical in the long term to shift funding from maintaining older natural gas lines to investing in greener heat pump systems, the ultimate cost of new systems to users remains to be seen.

In fact, the idea of this ground-source heat pump system was promoted by HEET Labs, a non-profit climate solutions incubator, about five or six years ago, lobbying major power companies to adopt it. According to "CBC", ground source heat pumps have similar infrastructure to natural gas, but they use underground heat sources instead of natural gas, which is more environmentally friendly. The initial installation cost of the system is high and it is difficult for the power company to bear it entirely, so Eversource provides discounts to attract users to participate in the project.

目前的法規仍需更新，美國許多地區要求公用事業公司提供天然氣服務，使其難以轉型。然而，隨著更多試驗計畫順利完成，監管機構可能放寬這些限制。目前除了麻州和紐約州，科羅拉多州、馬里蘭州、明尼蘇達州、佛蒙特州和華盛頓州也正透過修法來鼓勵地源熱泵系統的安裝。

Current regulations still need to be updated, and many parts of the country require utilities to provide natural gas service, making it difficult to transition. However, as more trials are successfully completed, regulators may relax these restrictions. Currently, in addition to Massachusetts and New York, Colorado, Maryland, Minnesota, Vermont and Washington are also amending laws to encourage the installation of ground source heat pump systems.

總結：推動可持續發展的關鍵步驟

Summary: Key steps to drive sustainability

地源熱泵系統具有巨大的發展潛力，雖然初期安裝成本較高，但長期來看，其安全性和環保效益不容忽視。如果電力公司、政府和消費者能共同努力推廣這項技術，不僅可助力實現淨零排放目標，還能為用戶創造一年四季舒適的居住環境。

Ground source heat pump systems have huge development potential. Although the initial installation cost is high, in the long run, its safety and environmental benefits cannot be ignored. If power companies, governments and consumers can work together to promote this technology, it will not only help achieve net-zero emissions goals, but also create a comfortable living environment for users all year round.