Andrew Iliff
@andrewiliff.bsky.social
Thermal Policy @ HEET, J.P. Bike Dad, vinyl hoarder, one third of The Boundary Objects.
Reposted by Andrew Iliff
Geothermal for direct heat is the single biggest exception to electrify everything.
Energy use is about 50% heat, 30% transportation, and 20% electricity.
The less heat you have to put on a winter peaking electric grid, the better.
Energy use is about 50% heat, 30% transportation, and 20% electricity.
The less heat you have to put on a winter peaking electric grid, the better.
Geothermal energy for heat (for greenhouses, district heating, industrial processes) is going to grow in the EU a lot in the next few years (Munich, for example, is drilling like crazy at the moment). Geothermal electricity generation is still much more of an open question. Good reporting here.
NEW from me: i talked to the founders of a geothermal startup that is working on a simple (but surprisingly difficult) solution to find more geothermal energy: seek out systems deep underground that we can use for power. it's harder than you think!
December 8, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Geothermal for direct heat is the single biggest exception to electrify everything.
Energy use is about 50% heat, 30% transportation, and 20% electricity.
The less heat you have to put on a winter peaking electric grid, the better.
Energy use is about 50% heat, 30% transportation, and 20% electricity.
The less heat you have to put on a winter peaking electric grid, the better.
Just going to brag a little that I just logged my 100th @volts.wtf podcast, and it's the 5th anniversary of the pod, and I love it, and not just because Dave GETS thermal networks, but because of what a warm, goofy, curious vibe he brings to urgent, teeth-grinding, fascinating world of clean energy.
December 8, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Just going to brag a little that I just logged my 100th @volts.wtf podcast, and it's the 5th anniversary of the pod, and I love it, and not just because Dave GETS thermal networks, but because of what a warm, goofy, curious vibe he brings to urgent, teeth-grinding, fascinating world of clean energy.
We’re building the future today!
@mckennapr.bsky.social reports on HEET’s partnership to expand the geothermal heating and cooling system in Framingham, MA, driving down unit costs and building out the utility business model while keeping customers comfy.
Thermal nerds, your time is now!
@mckennapr.bsky.social reports on HEET’s partnership to expand the geothermal heating and cooling system in Framingham, MA, driving down unit costs and building out the utility business model while keeping customers comfy.
Thermal nerds, your time is now!
My latest, for @insideclimatenews.org & @bostonglobe.com;
A first-in-the-nation clean energy project will soon double in size as the Trump administration moves forward with a Biden-era grant for geothermal www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/03/s...
A first-in-the-nation clean energy project will soon double in size as the Trump administration moves forward with a Biden-era grant for geothermal www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/03/s...
Rare win for renewable energy: Trump administration funds expansion of geothermal network in Framingham - The Boston Globe
A first-in-the-nation heating and cooling network in Framingham is set to double in size as the Trump administration continues support for geothermal energy, despite cutting billions for other clean e...
www.bostonglobe.com
December 4, 2025 at 3:36 PM
We’re building the future today!
@mckennapr.bsky.social reports on HEET’s partnership to expand the geothermal heating and cooling system in Framingham, MA, driving down unit costs and building out the utility business model while keeping customers comfy.
Thermal nerds, your time is now!
@mckennapr.bsky.social reports on HEET’s partnership to expand the geothermal heating and cooling system in Framingham, MA, driving down unit costs and building out the utility business model while keeping customers comfy.
Thermal nerds, your time is now!
Reposted by Andrew Iliff
My latest, for @insideclimatenews.org & @bostonglobe.com;
A first-in-the-nation clean energy project will soon double in size as the Trump administration moves forward with a Biden-era grant for geothermal www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/03/s...
A first-in-the-nation clean energy project will soon double in size as the Trump administration moves forward with a Biden-era grant for geothermal www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/03/s...
Rare win for renewable energy: Trump administration funds expansion of geothermal network in Framingham - The Boston Globe
A first-in-the-nation heating and cooling network in Framingham is set to double in size as the Trump administration continues support for geothermal energy, despite cutting billions for other clean e...
www.bostonglobe.com
December 4, 2025 at 3:26 PM
My latest, for @insideclimatenews.org & @bostonglobe.com;
A first-in-the-nation clean energy project will soon double in size as the Trump administration moves forward with a Biden-era grant for geothermal www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/03/s...
A first-in-the-nation clean energy project will soon double in size as the Trump administration moves forward with a Biden-era grant for geothermal www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/03/s...
Reposted by Andrew Iliff
The HEET team won ‘Nonprofit of the Year’ at the NREC Gala last Friday! So grateful to celebrate together with such a wonderful community and work every day with such a wonderful team.
October 9, 2025 at 11:36 PM
The HEET team won ‘Nonprofit of the Year’ at the NREC Gala last Friday! So grateful to celebrate together with such a wonderful community and work every day with such a wonderful team.
That was fun and thought provoking @fuckupnightsboston.bsky.social
November 14, 2025 at 3:23 PM
That was fun and thought provoking @fuckupnightsboston.bsky.social
Reposted by Andrew Iliff
Australia has so much clean energy they're literally giving it away. Meanwhile, GOP is in all-out war to stamp out solar
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
Australian households to get free electricity three hours a day
Saying there is enough solar power for everyone in the daytime, the federal government will direct retailers to provide three hours of free power every day to consumers.
www.abc.net.au
November 4, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Australia has so much clean energy they're literally giving it away. Meanwhile, GOP is in all-out war to stamp out solar
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
Reposted by Andrew Iliff
Colorado is making sure its residents know the dangers of gas stoves.
Its new law sticks yellow warning labels on new gas ranges warning of their “air quality implications” — and other states may soon follow.
Its new law sticks yellow warning labels on new gas ranges warning of their “air quality implications” — and other states may soon follow.
Colorado now requires health warning labels on gas stoves
The state is the first to put labels on the appliances pointing consumers to evidence about the harms of cooking with gas. Appliance manufacturers are…
www.canarymedia.com
August 23, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Colorado is making sure its residents know the dangers of gas stoves.
Its new law sticks yellow warning labels on new gas ranges warning of their “air quality implications” — and other states may soon follow.
Its new law sticks yellow warning labels on new gas ranges warning of their “air quality implications” — and other states may soon follow.
Reposted by Andrew Iliff
Fun fact: 91% of Massachusetts homes have already installed heat pumps!!!
Not-so-fun fact: 88% of those MA homes have heat pumps that only work one way—they’re air conditioners.
Even-less-fun fact: The 3% of MA homes with heat pumps that heat AND cool have been subsidizing their AC-only neighbors.
Not-so-fun fact: 88% of those MA homes have heat pumps that only work one way—they’re air conditioners.
Even-less-fun fact: The 3% of MA homes with heat pumps that heat AND cool have been subsidizing their AC-only neighbors.
August 9, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Fun fact: 91% of Massachusetts homes have already installed heat pumps!!!
Not-so-fun fact: 88% of those MA homes have heat pumps that only work one way—they’re air conditioners.
Even-less-fun fact: The 3% of MA homes with heat pumps that heat AND cool have been subsidizing their AC-only neighbors.
Not-so-fun fact: 88% of those MA homes have heat pumps that only work one way—they’re air conditioners.
Even-less-fun fact: The 3% of MA homes with heat pumps that heat AND cool have been subsidizing their AC-only neighbors.
This is Rio. She rules my family now. We couldn’t be happier about that. Even if her #BunnyVigilance is sometimes exhausting.
July 27, 2025 at 1:50 AM
This is Rio. She rules my family now. We couldn’t be happier about that. Even if her #BunnyVigilance is sometimes exhausting.
Reposted by Andrew Iliff
In cold climates, households that switch to heat pumps often pay more than their fair share on utility bills due to high electricity use in winter. Massachusetts may (and should) correct this inequity by discounting winter electricity for heat pump owners. This could accelerate heat pump adoption.
Massachusetts could give heat pump owners a huge discount on…
The state will lower electricity rates for heat pump owners this winter, and is considering even deeper cuts to encourage residents to ditch fossil-fueled…
www.canarymedia.com
July 25, 2025 at 6:02 PM
In cold climates, households that switch to heat pumps often pay more than their fair share on utility bills due to high electricity use in winter. Massachusetts may (and should) correct this inequity by discounting winter electricity for heat pump owners. This could accelerate heat pump adoption.
Father Nathan is leading one of the most ambitious, imaginative, and community-oriented thermal network projects I know of - and we’re lucky to have Phil on the thermal beat to share the non-linear path towards making it happen.
“Heaven and Earth”: Can community solar and geothermal heating and cooling provide a new path forward for a historic church and its neighbors in Salem, Mass.?
My latest for @insideclimatenews.org, now also in @bostonglobe.com www.bostonglobe.com/2025/06/26/s...
My latest for @insideclimatenews.org, now also in @bostonglobe.com www.bostonglobe.com/2025/06/26/s...
A Salem church leads charge to wean downtown off fossil fuels and lower electricity bills. Needed: cash to build. - The Boston Globe
St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Salem is looking to help install a networked geothermal energy project to save money on electricity and minimize the church's carbon footprint. But paying for that has ...
www.bostonglobe.com
June 28, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Father Nathan is leading one of the most ambitious, imaginative, and community-oriented thermal network projects I know of - and we’re lucky to have Phil on the thermal beat to share the non-linear path towards making it happen.
Reposted by Andrew Iliff
Boston is so hot today, it's almost too hot to e-bike....
June 25, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Boston is so hot today, it's almost too hot to e-bike....
Reposted by Andrew Iliff
“Heaven and Earth”: When a church’s heating bill spiked from $100 to $3,000 a month, its leaders decided it was time to ditch fossil fuels for solar and geothermal. Can its plan help its neighbors, too?
Can Solar and Geothermal Energy Help a Church and Its Neighbors Wean Off Fossil Fuels? - Inside Climate News
Spurred by rising utility bills, St. Peter’s-San Pedro Episcopal Church in Salem, Mass., looked for alternatives. Its “Heaven and Earth” plan would loop in much of downtown Salem.
insideclimatenews.org
June 20, 2025 at 4:36 PM
“Heaven and Earth”: When a church’s heating bill spiked from $100 to $3,000 a month, its leaders decided it was time to ditch fossil fuels for solar and geothermal. Can its plan help its neighbors, too?
Reposted by Andrew Iliff
Historically low power demand on the New England grid. Why?
Rooftop solar.
Rooftop solar.
New England grid demand hits record low as rooftop solar kicks in
Power grid use in the far northeast United States registered an all-time low over the weekend as mild weather and rooftop solar panels slashed demand on the regional electrical system, grid operator ISO New England said on Tuesday.
www.reuters.com
May 18, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Historically low power demand on the New England grid. Why?
Rooftop solar.
Rooftop solar.
Reposted by Andrew Iliff
"Three in five (60%) Americans say they are not familiar with the state or local regulatory body that determines their utility bills. In a separate open-ended question, around 9 in 10 respondents could not correctly name their specific regulatory body."
Time to make PUCs famous.
Time to make PUCs famous.
Skyrocketing Utility Bills Nationwide Leave American Consumers Feeling Stressed, Powerless - PowerLines
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A new poll from nonpartisan consumer education nonprofit PowerLines, conducted in partnership with Ipsos, finds that three in four (73%) Americans are concerned about electric and g...
powerlines.org
April 26, 2025 at 7:18 PM
"Three in five (60%) Americans say they are not familiar with the state or local regulatory body that determines their utility bills. In a separate open-ended question, around 9 in 10 respondents could not correctly name their specific regulatory body."
Time to make PUCs famous.
Time to make PUCs famous.
Busy commute this morning
April 5, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Busy commute this morning
Reposted by Andrew Iliff
All credit to @johndelurey.bsky.social of @votesolar.bsky.social!
Slay of the day:
According to @volts.wtf at @canarymedia.com event tonight, “all new data centers must BEYONCÉ: BYO New Clean Energy!” ⚡️
…Can I steal that?
According to @volts.wtf at @canarymedia.com event tonight, “all new data centers must BEYONCÉ: BYO New Clean Energy!” ⚡️
…Can I steal that?
March 28, 2025 at 4:57 AM
All credit to @johndelurey.bsky.social of @votesolar.bsky.social!
Reposted by Andrew Iliff
HIERARCHY OF SCHOOLING:
-K-12: Here are the facts
-College: Here are the theories
-Grad School: [closes door] Actually we know almost nothing
-K-12: Here are the facts
-College: Here are the theories
-Grad School: [closes door] Actually we know almost nothing
March 11, 2025 at 1:25 AM
HIERARCHY OF SCHOOLING:
-K-12: Here are the facts
-College: Here are the theories
-Grad School: [closes door] Actually we know almost nothing
-K-12: Here are the facts
-College: Here are the theories
-Grad School: [closes door] Actually we know almost nothing
Reposted by Andrew Iliff
NEW WU POLL: Mayor Wu up over challenger Josh Kraft, 65% to 25%, per Wu source briefed on internal poll
Poll of likely voters also has her winning 72% of Black voters and 73% of Latino voters
56% say Boston is heading in right direction, 38% say wrong direction
Poll of likely voters also has her winning 72% of Black voters and 73% of Latino voters
56% say Boston is heading in right direction, 38% say wrong direction
February 27, 2025 at 12:02 PM
NEW WU POLL: Mayor Wu up over challenger Josh Kraft, 65% to 25%, per Wu source briefed on internal poll
Poll of likely voters also has her winning 72% of Black voters and 73% of Latino voters
56% say Boston is heading in right direction, 38% say wrong direction
Poll of likely voters also has her winning 72% of Black voters and 73% of Latino voters
56% say Boston is heading in right direction, 38% say wrong direction
We’re back (again) baby!
We’re going to play the first song Nejem ever wrote, you’ll want to be able to say you were there when it went down…
thehavenjp.com/2025/02/the-...
We’re going to play the first song Nejem ever wrote, you’ll want to be able to say you were there when it went down…
thehavenjp.com/2025/02/the-...
The Boundary Objects LIVE at The Haven Thursday 2/27!
Stop in Thursday night to catch The Boundary Objects LIVE onstage in The Assembly Room! No cover. Music on from 8 PM.
thehavenjp.com
February 26, 2025 at 2:14 PM
We’re back (again) baby!
We’re going to play the first song Nejem ever wrote, you’ll want to be able to say you were there when it went down…
thehavenjp.com/2025/02/the-...
We’re going to play the first song Nejem ever wrote, you’ll want to be able to say you were there when it went down…
thehavenjp.com/2025/02/the-...
Reposted by Andrew Iliff
Oh hey Mr. Canary, you takin' a little canary nap? You deserve it, workin' so hard down here in the dark.
February 1, 2025 at 7:07 AM
Oh hey Mr. Canary, you takin' a little canary nap? You deserve it, workin' so hard down here in the dark.
Reposted by Andrew Iliff
DEI is responsible for me forgetting my lunch at home today.
January 31, 2025 at 5:12 PM
DEI is responsible for me forgetting my lunch at home today.
My band The Boundary Objects played #TheHavenJP last night in what is becoming a regular gig. I swear we’re going to get better at being on the internet too…
January 31, 2025 at 1:13 PM
My band The Boundary Objects played #TheHavenJP last night in what is becoming a regular gig. I swear we’re going to get better at being on the internet too…
I don’t mean to boast but
January 20, 2025 at 11:34 PM
I don’t mean to boast but