Thermal Energy Networks (TENs) are an innovative way to network traditional ground source heat pumps by using a shared ambient temperature loop, usually consisting  of a water-filled pipe, between multiple buildings. The networked system can receive waste heat from heat sources (ex. ice arena chillers) or reject heat (from cooling systems) in a way that dramatically increases the efficiency over individual heat pumps. For the right sites, TENs can be a highly efficient way to electrify buildings, and some projects - such as Colorado Mesa University - have seen efficiencies of 800%! For perspective, an air source heat pump often runs at 100 - 200% efficiency. 

On June 6th, 2025 CLEER and GCE hosted "TENs Together: A Technical Exchange for Communities and Developers." Over 100 professionals from around the State, and some from further afield, convened to discuss TENs, ground source heat pumps, and advanced heat recovery systems. 

Over 50 local jurisdictions and organizations in Colorado conducted feasibility and design studies for TENs or ground source heat pumps in 2024. The meeting was an opportunity to bring everyone together and share tips from-the-field, lessons from engineering teams and talk high-level policy issues with panelists such as Xcel Energy and Holy Cross Energy. 

Notable attendees included Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission, Dandelion Energy, Bedrock Energy, DMEA, Mountain Parks Electric, Park City, the City of Denver. Thank you to our sponsors (Alpine Bank, CMTA, Millig DB, Colorado Energy Office, Holy Cross Energy) for helping GCE bring together this event. See CLEER’s LinkedIn page to learn more about TENs and learn more about what happened at the event.