Isabella Pace
Username
Isabella Pace
Proposer First Name
Isabella
Proposer Email
bella.pace@vicinityenergy.us
Proposer Last Name
Pace
Proposer Company/Organization
Vicinity Energy
Proposer Job Title
Marketing Specialist
Boston 2023 Areas of Focus
Proposed Session Description
In this session presented by industry-leading sustainability expert Kevin Hagerty of Vicinity Energy, we will examine why district energy systems are a powerful resource to rapidly decarbonize cities at scale, and how they are doing so through electrification. We will learn from notable success stories in Europe, and evaluate the legislative action being taken to decarbonize cities across the U.S. today.
Diversity and Inclusiveness
Environmental Justice (EJ) communities are a focus of the Baker-Polito Administration’s new climate legislation, recognizing the disproportionate impact climate change has on these communities. The bill is the first of its kind, codifying EJ into state law and ensuring that low-income and minority groups do not disproportionately suffer the consequences of environmental degradation.
Primarily, connections to the district energy network remove smokestacks from EJ communities. Many buildings in these communities rely on old, inefficient natural gas boilers for heating and have unregulated emissions. These boilers typically last for decades and once installed, the city and state are not monitoring their greenhouse gas emissions.
Learning Objectives
Outline the impact that new building ordinances such as BERDO 2.0 will have on building owners and commercial properties.
Describe why district energy systems are a powerful resource for rapidly decarbonizing cities at scale.
Understand how renewable energy sources can be offered to district energy customers.
Give examples of cities that have successfully electrified their district systems outside of the U.S. to decarbonize at scale.
Has this session been presented before?
Yes
When and Where?
A version of this presentation has been presented at a past Green Building United Sustainability Symposium several months ago.
Additional Comments
Not identical content or speaker in each presentation.
Session Format
Presentation followed by facilitated discussion or breakout groups
Recommended Length
60-minute session
Strongest Content Connection - Boston 2023
Reviewer 1
Rosenbaum, Marc
Reviewer 2
Rosenbaum, Marc
Proposal #
164
Committee Decision
Being Considered
Presenters
Full Description
This session will address several crucial problems and solutions: how cities like Boston are taking legislative action to combat climate change (BERDO 2.0 and what it means), the innovative history of district energy systems and what makes them so scalable, flexible, and resilient, how the electrification of district energy systems is already working to decarbonize Boston-Cambridge today, and several more cities in the next few years, and how electrification has seen success in decarbonizing cities in Europe and Canada. This presentation will also explain how electric boilers, thermal battery storage, and heat pumps can help district energy systems provide carbon-free steam that utilizes renewable energy sources.
These topics have become increasingly important as the U.S., and world, looks to decarbonize the most aggressive source of carbon emissions: commercial buildings. District energy systems are fuel-agnostic, meaning that they can be powered by any fuel type, including renewable energy sources. In cities like Boston where carbon reduction acts like BERDO 2.0 are being enforced, having a plan to rapidly decarbonize energy needs is crucial and timely.
District energy is a practical, scalable solution for creating more sustainable buildings and cities. Current systems can utilize existing infrastructure to provide carbon-free steam to all customer buildings in one area. Any sustainable upgrades made to a central district system can be immediately applied to the entire building load it serves. Leading cities in Europe and Canada are already implementing these innovative, scalable solutions, and our presentation will touch on a few of these success stories.