Larry Lessard on Scaling Geothermal Networks for Maximum Climate Impact

The Green Building Matters Podcast with Charlie Cichetti

The Green Impact Report

Quick take: Larry Lessard reveals why geothermal systems are 400-600% more efficient than fossil fuel alternatives and how network geothermal is revolutionizing district-level sustainability—plus the strategic insight that could reshape your approach to renewable energy priorities.

Meet Your Fellow Sustainability Champion

Lawrence (Larry) Lessard is an applied scientist with a career encompassing hydrogeology, contaminated site remediation, and geothermal system design and installation.

He is the founder of both Lessard Environmental, Inc. and Achieve Renewable Energy, LLC. He is also a nature and astronomical photographer, third degree blackbelt in Judo, and a Hang Glider Pilot.

🌱Breaking Ground on Better Building

In this episode, Larry revolutionizes traditional HVAC approaches:

Key Insight #1: Geothermal Efficiency Crushes All Alternatives

• The Challenge: Natural gas boiler systems max out at 92% efficiency while losing energy up the flue

• The Solution: Geothermal systems move heat energy instead of creating it, achieving 400-600% efficiency

• ROI: Equipment lasts twice as long (protected indoors) with dramatically lower lifecycle costs and zero combustion emissions

Key Insight #2: Network Geothermal Unlocks District-Scale Impact

• The Challenge: Individual building systems can't serve properties without underground space or share thermal loads

• The Solution: Connect multiple buildings to shared ground heat exchangers—cooling-dominant buildings export heat to heating-dominant ones

• ROI: 100+ year lifespan for ground infrastructure creates generational sustainability investments, like "building a cathedral"

Key Insight #3: Target the Biggest Carbon Slice First

• The Challenge: Many sustainability efforts focus on electricity (only 10-15% of emissions) while ignoring bigger opportunities

• The Solution: Prioritize building heating/cooling (30%+ of emissions) and transportation (34%) for maximum climate impact

• ROI: Attacking the largest emission sources delivers the biggest environmental returns and typically the best financial incentives

Sustainable Soundbite

"If a natural gas boiler system is maybe 92% efficient, a geothermal system, through that same calculation, is 400 to 600% efficient. You get more energy out of the operation of the equipment than you put into it." – Larry Lessard

Your Green Building Action Plan

Transform your next project with these steps:

1. This Week: Calculate your building's heating vs. cooling loads to determine geothermal feasibility and efficiency potential

2. This Quarter: Explore federal tax credits (30-50% depending on location and domestic content) and local utility rebates for geothermal installations

3. This Year: Evaluate network geothermal opportunities across your building portfolio—identify cooling-dominant buildings that could share heat with heating-dominant ones

Connect & Learn More

• 🌿 Learn about Achieve Renewable Energy: Achieve Renewable Energy

• 🔗 Connect with Larry Lessard: LinkedIn

• 📚 New England Geothermal Professional Association: NEGPA

• 📖 Recommended reading:A Civil Action: Jonathan Harr 🎬 Recommended viewing: "Dark Waters" (2019 film)

• 🗒️ Read the transcript here

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