Session 3: Inside the Building: Preparing Assets for Networked Thermal Systems

Brian Urlaub is the Director of Geothermal Operations for Salas O’Brien, where he oversees all aspects of projects from management and design to procurement, installation, and commissioning. As head of Salas O’Brien’s mixed-use and residential district system practice, he is part of a leadership group that has completed more than 450 geothermal projects to date, providing over 90,000 tons of system capacity. Urlaub began his career in the field, installing and servicing systems, acquiring an invaluable breadth of knowledge about site conditions and impact on budget and schedule. He is a member of the board of directors of IGSHPA, serving as vice chairman, and is past president of the Wisconsin Geothermal Association, past member of the Board of Directors of the Minnesota Geothermal Heat Pump Association, and past Advisory Council member of IGHSPA.

Dave Weis is the Director of Princeton University's Campus Plants for Facilities Operations where he is continuing the University's conversion from steam to hot water and expansion the geoexchange systems. Previously, he held senior leadership roles in engineering and operations, managing multi-disciplinary teams, guiding large-scale integration projects, and shaping engineering standards and quality systems across the organizations he supported. A licensed Professional Engineer in the state of New Jersey and Certified Energy Manager.

Indu is the Energy Officer at University at Albany and has served in this role since 2008. She is a LEED accredited professional, Certified Energy Manager and Certified Measurement and Verification Professional. She holds an undergraduate degree in Architecture and a master's degree in construction management. She worked in architecture, construction, and ESCO firms for 10 years prior to joining UAlbany and is knowledgeable and passionate about climate action and sustainability planning, large scale renewable energy projects, high performance net zero energy all-electric buildings, energy conservation and behavioral change programs, digital transformation, and workforce development.

Edward “Ted” Borer is the founder and president of Borer Energy Engineering, LLC, a consulting firm offering  life-cycle-cost-reduction and carbon-reduction guidance and training to institutions and organizations who serve the energy industry. He recently retired after 30 years as Energy Plant Director for Princeton University where he helped develop the university’s path to carbon neutrality. He has over 40 years of experience in the power industry, starting in the nuclear industry in the early 1980’s. He is a registered Professional Engineer and holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering and earned the CEM, CEP, and LEED-AP certifications. He is a director of the International District Energy Association and a founding member of the Microgrid Resources Coalition. He speaks regularly on energy topics and has published numerous articles in trade magazines, and peer-reviewed journals as well as book chapters in textbooks about Combined Heat and Power, and Microgrids. He has provided briefings for members of the US Senate, a United Nations SDG-7 event, and all five FERC commissioners. Contact: ted@borerenergy.com / 609-731-2327

Rob Neimeier, Client & Market Officer at Ramboll – Rob Neimeier has 33 years of consulting experience including program and project management for public and private higher education, public agencies, and municipalities with energy reduction and climate action goals. He works with many State University of New York (SUNY) campuses to develop and implement energy master plans focused on decarbonization and transitioning from fossil fuels to alternative low carbon energy supply technologies to align with the New York State Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). Rob also works with NYSERDA on Thermal Energy Network Potential in NYS and the NYS Department of Public Service (DPS) on efforts related to the Utility Thermal Energy Network and Jobs Act.