Don’t let perfection be the enemy of good: keys to successful NYC electrification projects

Laura Henderson
Proposal Status
Ready for Committee Review
Username
Laura Henderson
Proposer First Name
Laura
Proposer Email
lhenderson@ecosystem-energy.com
Proposer Last Name
Henderson
Proposer Phone
(647) 206-2723
Proposer Job Title
Marketing Specialist
Proposer Additional Info
Ecosystem Energy Services (Ecosystem) is an expert with heat pump technology, with many years’ implementation experience in Canada. Founded in Quebec City in 1993, our team was developing energy solutions in an economy driven by the lowest electricity costs in North America, paired with comparatively high natural gas costs. This economic price signal drove innovation aimed at the electrification of heating systems, leading to a localized emerging expertise in the application of heat pump technology. While the economic environment clearly pointed toward electrification, the technical hurdle remained – actually converting steam and high temperature hot water heating systems to ultra-low temperature hot water systems to enable the application of heat pumps. This is where Ecosystem rose to the challenge, becoming a leader in the market, and how we developed our approach to decarbonization via electrification.
Proposed Session Description
Building owners and managers are looking for electrification retrofit solutions that are financially viable and constructible. This session presents a case study of a real-world application of electrification in a NYC coop building that achieves these goals. It demonstrates that electrification projects are not only about LL97 compliance – they can also achieve multiple outcomes and resolve longstanding issues, including improved quality of life for residents and simplified operations & maintenance. We’ll discuss the technical solutions and tenant engagement techniques that lead to success.
Why is this session important?
Building owners and managers are looking for electrification retrofit solutions that are financially viable and constructible. Attendees will understand the range of feasible electrification options for their buildings, and the importance of adopting a “middle ground” approach to capture as many benefits as possible.

Comments

Ariel Sosa Fri, 04/02/2021 - 6:08 pm

MAYBE – Solid proposal to continue to consider as a finalist; might need more info or some improvements

Christina McPike Mon, 04/05/2021 - 6:31 pm

Round 1: YesSpecific case study is usefultechnology, process/approach, goal setting, resident engagement = collaboration themecould be interesting to look at similarities and differences between multifamily and higher ed?

Susan Farber Mon, 04/12/2021 - 8:48 pm

ROUND 1 DISCUSSION: Maybe too many sessions on Local Law 97? Positive: Real Tangible case study. Include Building Operators and other from Coop. Would be interesting to audience. Aligns with collaboration theme. Title confusing?

Christina McPike Fri, 05/07/2021 - 4:21 pm

Round 2: Maybe- Pro: Enthusiastic/charismatic Coop Board President to join panel, discussing motivations, objectives, etc.;- Pro: Interesting perspective to share, potentially a bit controversial. Pushing 'partial' electrification.- Pro: Possible NYSERDA involvement.- Pro: will share project design and cost data.- Con: work isn't done yet (will start any day)- Con: this is a very affluent Union Square Co-op choosing to restore their custom loft windows. Maybe not very representative.- Con: Does not approach the project wholistically - trying to solve a capital need and comfort problem with a big budget, and considering LL97 as well (not main driver). I hate to see a big HVAC project that doesn't address the enclosure!   Notes:- Integrated energy company - MEP engineering design and installations. Co-ops seeing a shift from audits and benchmarking (b/c clean heat and ll97) mandating action. Moving from reports to action.- design, deliver, cx projects.- NYSERDA Empire Building Challenge...Decarbonization/electrification olympics. Hired as technical advisor.- Union Square Co-op...In 2017, the board president (speaker) was trying to get a handle on capital needs. How to spend $ to go beyond and improve issues? (South side is waging war with North side with old change over/2 pipe system.). With Climate Mobilization Act, LL97 compliance propelled or expanded the original capital project from EUL and comfort issue.- Scope of work: hybrid heat pumps, 80% ASHP, 20% gas boiler. (no enclosure, DHW gas boiler). - Met with NYSERDA early and often, disputing $$$ for 100% electric. The first 80% of emissions is reasonably viable. The last 20% where you need 3x more heat pumps. 2-3 mo exploration with the NYSERDA, ending in an incentive offer. Eco thinks this hybrid/Prius model toward electrificatino is appropriate and responsible use of funding...Not "perfect" or all the way there, as policy/NYSERDA wants, but practical.- Could discuss Eco's performance guarantees method for derisking projects.- President of the board is open to participating.- Project won't be installed yet, so no post-retrofit performance data. Session is focused on process and planning...case study in board engagement & education as much as tempering expectations and technology. LL97 + Electrification...When most people are questino if it's even real, this project proves there's a pragmatic approach to comply now and in 2050.

Susan Farber Fri, 05/21/2021 - 1:36 pm

Round 2 discussion: Ecosystem Energy, very enthusiastic, coop in Union Square, charismatic board president (willing to be a speaker). Affluent residents, comfort issues, wanted to upgrade heating & cooling. Ecosystem pushed for heat pumps with supplemental gas boilers as a compromise. Project hasn't started yet, won't be finished until fall, so too early for results. Maybe in the future?

Learning Objectives
1. Connect electrification to your sustainability goals.
2. Understand feasible electrification options.
3. Understand if your building is a good candidate for electrification.
4. Be aware of strategies for effective tenant engagement and education.
Has this session been presented before?
No
Additional Comments
Ecosystem has presented the topic of electrification numerous times, most often to higher education audiences. Two recent examples include: - As part of Climate Week NYC 2020, together with Second Nature, Cornell and Tufts Universities: "Toward Carbon Neutrality in Higher Education: Cost-Effective, Actionable Pathways to a Net-Zero Future" - As part of BuildingEnergy NYC 2019, together with Vassar College: “Reduce, Rethink, Recover, Repurpose; Low-Cost Approach to Prepare your Facility for Electrified Heating and 80% GHG Reductions.” For BuildingEnergy NYC 2021, we’d like to take our electrification expertise and apply it to a multifamily case study, which aligns more closely with your conference focus.

NYC 2021 Areas of Focus

Target Audiences Level of Expertise
Level 1 - No prior knowledge needed.
Session Format
Interview or structured conversation among panelists
Recommended Length
60-minute session

Strongest Content Connection - NYC 2021

Comments about your speaker roster
Ben Milbank, Senior Project Development Engineer Ben brings insight into the true value of potential projects to Ecosystem clients. Delving into each client’s institutional needs and goals, he crafts and evaluates energy solutions closely aligned with their objectives. He fosters collaborative environments to ensure complete stakeholder engagement throughout the Ecosystem project development phase. Originally from the United Kingdom, Benjamin came to New York City to study for his Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at Columbia University. At Columbia, Ben was a Business School Social Enterprise Fellow, where he developed several energy efficiency projects for local churches and community centers across the city. Jaime Pereira, Director of Business Development Jaime brings a wide range of account management experience, from construction permit expediting to residential energy efficiency, to the Ecosystem team. He develops and manages relationships with clients as large as Blackstone or as personal as a NYC co-op building with the same care and attention to detail. Beginning by understanding a client’s unique needs, Jaime continues to develop the relationship around a collaborative process that defines measurable goals to achieve. He remains engaged with his clients throughout the life of the project and beyond, ensuring their expectations are not just met but often exceeded. Jaime leads multidisciplinary engineering teams to question the status quo and push for innovative solutions that achieve the long-term results that his clients value.
Anything else you'd like to tell us about your session proposal?
Ecosystem advocates for integrated design and construction, an approach that leads to better outcomes in complex retrofit projects.
Reviewer 1
Sosa, Ariel
Reviewer 2
McPike, Christina
Proposal #
117
Committee Decision
Being Considered

Presenters