Clean Energy from Dirty Water: Wastewater Energy Transfer (WET) System Showcase

Elizabeth Engoren
Proposal Status
Ready for Committee Review
Username
Elizabeth Engoren
Proposer First Name
Elizabeth
Proposer Email
eengoren@enpg.com
Proposer Last Name
Engoren
Proposer Job Title
Director of Strategic Initiatives
Proposed Session Description
New York City's clean energy goals require innovative technologies, including wastewater energy transfer (WET) systems, which extract thermal energy from wastewater lines for reuse in heating, cooling, and domestic hot water systems. Our speakers will use real project examples in New York City to discuss how to screen building candidates, the benefits and challenges of design and implementation, and the difficulties encountered in the planning and installation process for real projects.
Why is this session important?
To support New York City’s ambitious clean energy goals, a battery of new technologies will be needed. Once such technology is a wastewater energy transfer (“WET”) system, which pulls thermal energy from wastewater lines (e.g., sinks, showers, toilets, etc.) for reuse in the heating, cooling, and domestic hot water (DHW) systems. WET systems are especially important technology as they can be used initially for DHW production and then as an enabling step to reduce heating/cooling loads for the later heat pump systems. Engineering studies show the combination of a WET system and heat pumps will prove to be a technology that will result in both immediate and future energy and carbon savings. It not only effectively reduces carbon emission immediately but also lowers the barrier to entry for electrification. Moreover, a WET system can be widely duplicated in apartment complexes and high rises regardless of project sequencing for benefits so is poised to be widely replicable throughout New York.

Comments

Gwen McLaughlin Wed, 05/10/2023 - 6:39 am

Yes, unlike the other proposal submitted on WET, this proposal is focused on the application of this technology to buildings and practical guidance on how to incorporate it into real life projects. I'm interested in hearing how WET can reduce both waste energy and operational energy

Xavier Williams Sun, 05/21/2023 - 12:42 pm

Yes, WET is a relatively new tochnology specially for NYC. This proposal presents a session that would provide introduction of WET technology to attendies with a Level 1- knowledge expectaion of the topic. The content is practical and can easily be incortperated in future projects. The panel style  would provide a holistic approach of presenting the content from a more diverse range of industry experiance. This would add value to the QnA portion of the session, rather than with the limited experience and expertise of a sole speaker.

Ben Sachs-Hamilton Thu, 05/25/2023 - 9:30 am

Round 1 discussion:- Innovative way to address clean energy goals- Interested on how it can decrease operational energy- Like that it is level 1 and panel discussion

Martin Robertson Wed, 06/14/2023 - 3:41 pm

Round 2 Discussion: YES. I spoke with Jay, Justin, and Carter from Egg Geo. I think they would present very well. THis is what they do. They are well versed in the technology and clear presenters. Egg Geo is not strickly focused on one solution and would need to be told this is not a sales pitch but I found the information and technology very interesting. I also spoke with Aaron Miller and Michael Scorrano. They too did an excellent job at explaining the tech while keeping it simple. While I am concerned the waste water application will not work great in NY City where retrofitting is a must, Egg Geo offers alternative options within the same realm  and NESEA is not strictly focused on NY City. This information would work well with the NESEA community atlarge. My vote is a YES.

Diversity and Inclusiveness
WET technology is an important enabling technology for electrification as it reduces the heating/cooling loads of the future heat pump system. Therefore, it not only effectively reduces carbon emission immediately but also lowers the barrier to entry for electrification, something critical for low-to-moderate (LMI) buildings, who need to be included in New York’s push for clean energy.
Learning Objectives
Attendees will be able to explain the role of WET technology in our green energy goals, particularly to clients who are less familiar with the process and its benefits.
Attendees will be able to develop a process for screening sites in New York City to identify the best building candidates for WET technology.
Attendees will be better prepared to bring all needed stakeholders into the decision early-on and effectively manage the difficulties of project implementation and coordination.
Attendees will able to more effectively leverage WET technology to integrate into building systems and reduce NYC Local Law 97 carbon financial penalties.
Has this session been presented before?
No
Target Audiences Level of Expertise
Level 1 - No prior knowledge needed.

NYC 2023 Areas of Focus

Session Format Details
Aaron Miller will moderate the discussion with Mike Scorrano and Jay Egg detailing the NYC project examples.
Recommended Length
60-minute session
Comments about your speaker roster
Aaron Miller will moderate the discussion with Mike Scorrano and Jay Egg detailing the NYC project examples. Aaron worked for many years as an energy consultant and project manager prior to SHARC Energy so will focus his moderation on client concerns. He has a strong presentation track record, including presenting at this year’s NY GEO conference, and speaks with neutrality.
Anything else you'd like to tell us about your session proposal?
We are flexible and can accommodate various formats if desired.
Reviewer 1
McLaughlin, Gwen
Reviewer 2
Robertson, Martin
Proposal #
141
Committee Decision
Being Considered

Presenters