Aztech Presents on Networked Geothermal Systems for NYSSPE Fall Conference
October 27, 2023 @ 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM @ Holiday Inn, 232 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY
UPDATED: Networked Geothermal Heat Pump Systems as an Alternative to Natural Gas
Note: This is an updated presentation from the one given at E-Week in February of this year.
As New York’s Climate Law moves towards implementation, Networked Geothermal Heat Pump (GHP) systems are emerging rapidly. The summer of 2022 saw the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) which expanded and extended federal tax incentives for GHPs to unprecedented levels. Shortly after the IRA passage Governor Hochul signed into law the Utility Thermal Energy and Jobs Act requiring all major utilities to file their plans for networked geothermal pilot projects with the Public Service Commission (PSC). Since then the seven largest utilities have proposed 14 separate Utility Thermal Energy Network pilot projects in communities across NYS. Another bellwether is the participation of over forty (40) Community Heat Pump System projects being funded by NYSERDA’s PON 4614, which guides projects in stages from feasibly to construction.
John Ciovacco, CGD, the President of Aztech Geothermal, LLC is the Immediate Past President of the New York Geothermal Energy Organization (NY-GEO), an Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) Certified GeoExchange Designer (CGD), International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA) Accredited Installer (AI), and a Building Performance Institute (BPI) Certified Contractor. He received his B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Union College. John chairs the educational sessions at NY-GEO’s annual heat pump conference which is widely regarded as the largest and most comprehensive in the Northeastern US. His company, Aztech Geothermal has designed and installed hundreds of residential and commercial ground source heat pump systems since the early 2000’s. Aztech is involved in over 15 District / Networked Geothermal projects in the Northeast, several of them involving regulated gas and electric utilities.
This seminar is only one session in the larger full day NYSSPE Fall Conference designed to give engineers the opportunity to earn up to 6 PDH credits for a flat $195 fee for NYSSPE members and $245 for non-members. Location: Holiday Inn, 232 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Learning Objectives
- Be able to identify the conditions that favor a networked geothermal over an individual building approach.
- Become familiar with non-combustion sources of thermal energy a thermal energy network can access for buildings.
- Understand why regulated utilities are engaging in Networked Geothermal Pilots in New York and Massachusetts.
- Learn about the advantages to electrifying buildings with a networked geothermal system vs. individual building ground-source or air-source heat pumps.
- Become informed about the latest sources of incentives for GHP projects from the federal government and state/utility.