New York invests in first utility-scale thermal networks
Summary and headline written by AI from the source article. How we work
The New York Public Service Commission committed $111.5 million to build utility thermal energy networks in Haverstraw and Buffalo, New York.
The UpgradeNY coalition advocated for these projects, which aim to switch neighborhoods from fossil gas to clean electric heating while preserving utility jobs. These networks will use wells, pipes, and existing infrastructure like sewer systems to capture and distribute heat, improving the efficiency of electric heat pumps.
The approved projects will serve a variety of buildings, including residences, schools, and commercial properties. In Haverstraw, Orange & Rockland will build a network drawing heat from borefields and the city’s sewer system. National Fuel Gas will combine borehole water and wastewater heat recovery in Buffalo to serve low-income housing and replace existing fossil gas boilers.
While the commission rejected nine other similar projects, UpgradeNY hopes these two will demonstrate the viability of utility thermal energy networks on a larger scale. The state is providing funding to offset costs for customers, as part of a larger $1 billion fund for climate and energy programs, and is mandated to explore these options by the 2022 Utility Thermal Energy Network and Jobs Act.
