Existing Thermal Energy Networks Technical Conference

A technical conference regarding existing thermal energy networks will be held on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Attendance may be in person, at the Department’s Albany offices, located at Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York, in the 19th floor boardroom, or via WebEx or telephone, using the information provided below.

If you plan to attend the technical conference in person and are not a Department employee, you must provide your name and contact information by email to [email protected] by March 18, 2025. You also must be prepared to show valid photo identification at Three Empire State Plaza. These procedures are necessary to comply with building security requirements.

To participate via WebEx, please use the following link and information:  

https://meetny-gov.webex.com/meetny-gov/j.php?MTID=m8c94694c4ab3d8a3bbefc55b639b436b 

Webinar Number: 2823 687 8239
Password: ExistingTENS2025

To participate by phone, please use the following information:

Call-in Number: +1-415-527-5035
Access Code: 2823 687 8239

1. Opening Remarks
   1. Peggie Neville, Deputy Director, NYS Department of Public Service
   2. Rob Neimeier, Client & Market Officer, Ramboll
2. District Thermal Energy Networks – Aggregation, Integration and Innovation
   Lessons learned in planning, development and practical considerations for sector-coupling impacts to electricity grids and natural gas networks
   Speaker: Gerard MacDonald, Principal, ReShape Strategies
3. Presentations of Existing Systems
   1. System History
   2. Business Aspects
   3. Technical Aspects
   4. Lessons Learned
   5. Future plans and challenges moving forward
   6. Recommendations to advance TENs
      Speakers
      - Alen Postolka, P.Eng, Chief Operating Officer, Lulu Island Energy Company, Richmond, BC
      - Carson Gemmill, VP, Solutions & Innovations, Enwave, Toronto, ON
4. Moderated Panel of Speakers for Open Discussion and Q&A
   Moderator: Rob Thornton, President & CEO, International District Energy Association (IDEA)
5. Lunch (on your own)
6. Presentations of Existing Systems
   Speakers
   - Kris Sellstrom, PE, Deputy General Manager - Electric, Jamestown Board of Public Utilities, NY
   - Michael Ahern, SVP, Chief Development Officer, Ever-Green Energy, District Energy St Paul, MN
7. TENs Business Success and Policy Issues - Keys to Successful TENs and Recommendations for State Policy
   Speaker: Mark Spurr, Legislative Director at IDEA, FVB Energy
8. Moderated Panel of Speakers for Open Discussion and Q&A
   Moderators: Rob Neimeier, Client & Market Officer, Ramboll and Rob Thornton, President & CEO, IDEA
9. Closing Remarks

Note: All speakers will be in-person and order of speakers is subject to change.

Case 22-M-0429 - Proceeding on Motion of the Commission to Implement the Requirements of the Utility Thermal Energy Network and Jobs Act.

On July 18, 2024, the Public Service Commission issued its Order Adopting Initial Utility Thermal Energy Network Rules (Initial Rules Order) in this proceeding. As explained in the Initial Rules Order, Department of Public Service staff (Staff) is required to convene at least one technical conference to explore existing thermal energy network systems including, but not limited to, understanding how these systems currently operate and effectively serve their customer bases, for the purpose of improving the knowledge of Staff, utilities, and interested stakeholders and to inform potential future regulations. (Initial Rules Order, p. 23)