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Username
Celine Damide
Proposer First Name
Celine
Proposer Email
celine.damide@brightcoreenergy.com
Proposer Last Name
Damide
Proposer Job Title
Clean Energy Data Analyst
Proposer Additional Info
Submitting behalf of the speakers.
Proposed Session Description
Current pathways to carbon emission reductions are primarily driven through electrification of heating, via heat pumps. One type of heat pump technology that is underutilized in the NYC area is ground source heat pumps (GSHP) or geothermal energy. Heating and cooling from geothermal energy is not a novel technology and has been used in urban areas in North America and Western Europe for some time. However, geothermal is still facing barriers to adoption. This panel will discuss common misconceptions about GSHPs in urban areas and share case studies on successful geothermal systems in the built environment.
Why is this session important?
Replacing fossil fuel heating with GSHPs is an important part of NYS’s clean heating initiative, with large incentive programs to encourage heat pump installations. However, there’s a gap in understanding the technology and its applicability, especially in urban areas where it has been historically challenging to install geothermal. Ground source heat pumps can exceed efficiencies of 400% on peak days which significantly supports a smart electrification transition and keeps energy use/cost low for tenants, especially for affordable housing units. The market has evolved where various GSHP technology and financial solutions are available for different building typologies and market rates. This session would raise awareness that geothermal systems are a viable option to provide renewable heating and cooling in urban areas.
Diversity and Inclusiveness
Clean technologies for heating and cooling are being prioritized in historically disadvantaged communities. In addition to fuel switching, strategies for efficiently managing electric load in the electrification transition are necessary to reduce increasing utility costs in already energy-burdened communities. GSHPs are a large part of addressing thermal energy loads by using electricity efficiently to reduce the energy burden for tenants, especially in affordable housing. This also prioritizes a clean heating and cooling solution that minimalizes roof equipment and increases valuable outdoor space that has historically been limited for disadvantaged communities. In this session, the panelists will touch on how geothermal addresses equity by promoting smart electrification, grid resiliency, and healthy indoor environments.
Learning Objectives
Describe the basics of geothermal systems and their role in the electrification transition, benefit to the grid, and healthy buildings.
Discuss new advances for installing ground source heat pumps in urban areas.
Explore incentives and financing options in Northeastern regions available to increase cost feasibility.
Identity building characteristics and types best for GSHP applications in new construction and retrofits across markets rates.
Has this session been presented before?
No
Additional Comments
N/A
Session Format
Lightning Round (several brief idea pitches followed by discussion)

Strongest Content Connection - NYC 2022

Reviewer 1
Bayer, Sara
Reviewer 2
Bayer, Sara
Curator
Bayer, Sara
Proposal #
108
Session #
109
Committee Decision
Accepted