Residential geothermal technology is gaining traction in Maryland as a way to lower energy costs and reduce strain on the electric grid. Dandelion Energy, a producer of residential geothermal systems, says homeowners could see their electric bills cut in half. On peak days, the systems use only a quarter of the electricity of standard HVAC, which reduces the need for new grid infrastructure. The state is backing adoption through Geothermal Renewable Energy Credits (GRECs), utility demand-side management incentives, and grant programs from the Maryland Energy Agency. Projects on the Lower Shore include a nearly $2.5 million geothermal system at Berlin Intermediate School designed for net-zero energy operations, and a geothermal field at Salisbury University's new Blackwell Hall student center. As data centers increase strain on the PJM grid, residential geothermal offers a way to cut peak demand without building more power lines. Maryland is currently the only state with a specific carve-out for GRECs, though Virginia is working on adding one.
