"Thermal Energy Network” (TEN) is an umbrella term that can include networked geothermal and other systems that use water to capture, re-use/share thermal energy between buildings.

Networked geothermal systems use water-filled pipes in closed loops underground to both heat and cool buildings in a neighborhood or town center. Network pipes are installed at the same depth as gas or water pipes and are connected to individual ground source heat pumps. Thermal energy can be drawn out of the earth, returned to the ground for storage, and shared between buildings with different heating or cooling needs.

Thermal Energy Networks can also capture existing waste heat from building ventilation or wastewater and put it to use to heat or cool buildings in the network. The more neighborhoods and multi-use buildings that are linked to a shared system, the more affordable and efficient it gets.