Archive · 16 Aug 2025
Startup Taps Underground Parking Garages for Clean Energy
Imagine a company that's figured out how to use the heat stored under cities to warm and cool buildings.
Enerdrape, a company from Switzerland, uses special panels installed in underground spaces like parking garages.
These panels grab the earth's natural warmth or coolness to heat buildings in the winter and cool them in the summer, like giant batteries.
The system works for buildings up to 10 stories high and has been used in Europe.
This helps reduce the need for traditional energy sources, which is good for the environment.
However, the system is expensive upfront and faces challenges in the US due to higher costs and potential political issues.
Swiss startup Enerdrape is using underground infrastructure heat to decarbonize buildings.
The technology uses panels to absorb geothermal energy from the ground for heating and cooling.
The system can meet 100% of a building's heating, cooling, and hot water needs up to 10 stories.
Enerdrape has projects across Europe, including affordable housing in Paris.
The upfront cost for the system is $100,000-$500,000, potentially cheaper than traditional energy sources.
- Who
- Enerdrape, a Swiss startup.
- What
- Enerdrape is using underground heat to heat and cool buildings.
- When
- Enerdrape launched in 2019; technology development began 15 years prior.
- Where
- New York and cities across Europe.
- Why
- To decarbonize buildings and reduce reliance on traditional energy sources.
Challenges for Implementation
Potential Benefits
Cost
Challenges for Implementation
High upfront costs and slower adoption rates due to cost.
Potential Benefits
Enerdrape can deliver energy at 3 to 4 cents per kWh compared to the average US gas price of 17 cents per kWh.
- Company
- Enerdrape
- Technology
- Geothermal energy panels
- Function
- Heating and cooling buildings
- Cost
- $100,000-$500,000 upfront
- Energy Source
- Underground heat
- Location
- Europe, New York City
- Building Height
- Up to 10 stories