Commercial large heat pump systems today are constrained by a temperature lift cap of 90-100°C, restricting their reach and capacity to decarbonize higher-temperature heat demand. This presentation introduces the multilateral closed loop geothermal + large heat pump combined system to reduce the lift temperature and improve the flexibility and applicability of geothermal energy in various direct-use applications. Presented are several case studies that highlight other advantages to this optimized combined system including improved thermal output, superior large heat pump efficiency (over ground source or air source heat pumps), operational versatility for changing electricity markets, and the ability for higher temperature heat production. 

Speaker.

Ryan Martin, P.Eng, Development Engineer of Eavor Technology

The Global Leaders Panel featured insights from six prominent leaders at the helm of IDEA member district energy systems in around the world. Stream it now and hear first-hand about how district energy is thriving around the world, how stakeholders can influence policy and policymakers, the importance of industry partnerships, and much more.

Panelists: 

• Khalid Al Marzooqi, CEO, Tabreed (Abu Dhabi, UAE)

• Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO, Empower (Dubai, UAE)

• Joan Kowal, Client Manager, Energy & Power – Americas, Jacobs (USA)

• Werner Lutsch, CEO, AGFW (Germany, EU)

• Hilda Cristina Mariaca Orozco, Coordinator District Energy Projects, Ministry of Environment, Colombia (Latin America)

• Gabriele Pesce, Innovation & Sustainable Finance Director, Euroheat & Power (Belgium, EU)

Moderated by Rob Thornton, President & CEO, IDEA

Panelists: 

• Earl Collins, CEO, Cordia

• Carlyle Coutinho, CEO, Enwave

• Luke Gaalswyk, CEO, Ever-Green Energy

• Kevin Hagerty, President, Vicinity Energy

• Christina Ho, VP, Con Edison

• Eric Miller, CEO, CenTrio

• Lisa Sparrow, CEO, Corix

Moderated by Rob Thornton, President & CEO, IDEA

Maximizing the annual output of district energy systems is ideal for maximizing the decarbonization of the electric grid by minimizing the need to operate less efficient systems to support the grid. Turbine inlet cooling (TIC) maximizes the annual output and efficiency of gas turbine-based district energy systems during hot weather when electric power is in most demand. The paper will highlight the long-term experience of two such systems: the 48 MW district cooling system of the Thermal Energy Corporation (Houston, TX) and the 47 MW district energy system at the University of Cincinnati (Cincinnati, OH). 

Speaker. 

John Andrepont, President, The Cool Solutions Company

A study for the City of Oneonta, NY, explored the technical and economic feasibility of implementing a heat pump-based thermal energy network in the downtown area as an alternative to the existing natural gas utility network. The City’s wastewater treatment plant was identified as a significant source of district energy heat and geothermal. Feasibility and comparative scenario analysis included centralized heat pump systems (4G), ambient loop (5G), and individual building-level heat pumps. 

Speaker.

Rob Neimeier, Client and Market Officer, Energy Consulting Services, Ramboll

Hydrogen combustion in gas turbines is expected to become the technology of choice for backing up intermittent renewable generation. The HYFLEXPOWER project demonstrates a fully integrated power-to-H2-to-power full-scale installation in a pre-existing pilot plant within an industrial Paper mill facility in Saillat-sur-Vienne, France. This presentation summarizes the development, installation, and demonstration of the power-to-H2-to-power application in the pilot plant: production of green hydrogen via an electrolyzer, storage of the hydrogen inside the plant, and the re-electrification through combustion in a Siemens Energy SGT-400 DLE industrial gas turbine through blending with natural gas and up to 100 % hydrogen. 

Speaker. 

Alexander Lawford, Product Manager - Decarbonization, SIEMENS ENERGY

Although steam and hot water boilers are conventionally heated with fossil fuels, decarbonizing a district energy system requires alternative technologies. Among the primary contenders are (1) fully-electrified heaters and/or electric boilers; (2) electrically powered heat pumps (ground-, air-, water-, and waste heat-sourced); and (3) those that employ a zero-carbon fuel such as hydrogen. This talk will explore scenarios where hydrogen-fired boilers are or may be the most financially viable decarbonization solution. 

Speaker. 

Aaron Nackos, Principal Project Engineer, Hydrogen Technologies LLC

In the Summer of 2021, Princeton University and Whiting-Turner Contracting began the construction of the new TIGER building on the East Campus. Its purpose is to provide heating, hot water, and chilled water to the entire campus. This would be achieved using new heat pump chillers connected to a large geo-exchange field.

Before 2021, Princeton, Burns & McDonnell, and their subcontractor Salas-O'Brien and Whiting-Turner spent almost 2 years designing the new facility. During this same timeframe, the geo-exchange field was being drilled.

Speakers.

Ralph Merritt, Sr. MEP Manager, The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company 

Brooke Lautt, Project Manager, The Whiting-Turner Contracting Co

Mayo Clinic is reimagining its Rochester campus through the Bold. Forward. Unbound. in Rochester program to transform healthcare (and utility systems) to better meet the needs of patients. Planning the transformation of the utility systems, reducing carbon, and adding hot water to the campus will be covered. In addition, the story includes a dramatic mid-course adjustment (and gaining management approval) that takes advantage of the strengths of the existing systems and looks forward. 

Speakers.

Blake Ellis, Principal, OnSite Energy & Power, Burns & McDonnell 

Brett Gorden, Division Chair of Facilities Management, Mayo Clinic

This session explores considerations for the implementation of resistive vs electrode steam boilers in district heating networks. The focus is on how these boilers facilitate the shift from fossil fuels to electricity. We compare electrode and resistive boilers, assessing their efficiency, carbon footprint, and adaptability in urban energy networks. Attendees will gain insights into the technical specifications, operational efficiencies, and environmental impact of these types of boilers, emphasizing their role in accelerating urban energy transition. 

Speakers.

Mike Hassaballa, Energy Engineering, HH Angus 

Greg Snow, Manager, Energy, HH Angus