Session 5: Making TENs Bankable: Financing, Partnerships, and Delivery Models

Session five of the CampusEnergy2026 Thermal Energy Networks Workshop consisted of these presentations:

1:15 pm – 2:30 pm

Who Pays, Who Partners, and How: Financing Thermal Energy Networks at Scale

This panel examines how campuses and communities are funding and delivering thermal energy networks through innovative financing structures and partnerships. Discussion will cover stakeholder engagement, capital planning, energy-as-a-service models, public and private funding sources, and strategies for aligning institutional, community, and investor priorities to move projects from concept to construction.

 

Panelists Include:

  • Cameron Best, Brightcore
  • Warren Carsey, Veritas
  • Leslie Fangman, SDCL Efficiency Income Trust (SEIT)
  • Mark Spurr, FVB Energy

Keywords: Thermal Energy Networks (TENs); Business Models and Financing

Cameron Best

Senior Director, Business Development, Brightcore Energy

Brightcore Energy

Warren Carsey

Managing Partner

Veritas Holdings group

Mr. Carsey is the Managing Partner of Veritas Holdings, a structured capital group that funds energy and infrastructure projects for governments and institutions. Under his leadership, Veritas has invested in a diverse portfolio of large-scale, cross-border projects for both enterprise and government entities. Recent projects include acquiring water treatment infrastructure used by the US federal government and funding transportation energy infrastructure for the state government in Hawaii. Prior to Veritas, Mr. Carsey was part of the structured and corporate finance teams at CIBC World Markets and JPMorgan Chase in New York. He holds a BS from Northern Arizona University and an MBA from the University of Michigan, Stephen M. Ross School of Business.

Leslie Fangman

Fangman Associates

Mark Spurr

Principal

FVB Energy Inc.

Mark Spurr has been a district energy consultant since 1985 and has played a key role in the growth of District Energy in the U.S. and the Middle East. He advises utilities, cities and universities regarding creation of new thermal energy businesses, district energy system design, economic analysis, energy infrastructure and decarbonization master planning, rate design and due diligence review for asset acquisitions or sales. Current work focuses on design of new low-to-no carbon greenfield systems and on decarbonization of existing district energy systems.

In addition to serving many private and public sector clients, since 1990 Mark has also served as Legislative Director of the International District Energy Association, where he is responsible for developing and advocating policies, legislation and regulations to encourage the expansion of district energy systems. Mark is IDEA’s point person on the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and has extensive knowledge of the IRA incentives and related proposed regulations.

Mark has led the development of international design guidance documents relating to conversion and connection of buildings for district energy service, design of district cooling systems, and integration of waste heat recovery and renewable energy in sustainable energy systems.

Ted Borer (Moderator)

Energy Plant Director

Princeton University

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 (Moderator)

Client & Market Officer

Ramboll

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.

Key:

Complete
Failed
Available
Locked
Slides - Mark Spurr, FVB Energy
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
Video - Session 5: Making TENs Bankable: Financing, Partnerships, and Delivery Models
Open to view video.  |  73 minutes
Open to view video.  |  73 minutes
Session Survey
7 Questions
Certificate
0.12 CEUs credits  |  Certificate available
0.12 CEUs credits  |  Certificate available