Engineering Solutions

Thermal Energy Networks for Decarbonization Webinar

New engineering design means and methods are needed to enable and accelerate adoption of low-carbon retrofit technologies. Efficient heating and cooling energy systems are widely available but underused due to lack of knowledge and thermal system interaction.

Decarbonization requires adapting distribution systems designed for legacy thermal supply to electric and renewable thermal energy systems. New design strategies are emerging which can help alleviate space constraint issues, provide peak thermal capacity, optimize operational efficiencies, utilize waste heat, and reduce the need for oversized, electrified thermal energy systems creating retrofit cost compression. The latest research on thermal energy networks focuses on utilizing heat and cold more sustainably by creating innovative components and control strategies for thermal systems. 

In this Empire Building Challenge webinar, Cary Smith and Garen Ewbank from The GreyEdge Group provide perspectives on designing efficient thermal networks for decarbonization. The recorded discussion focuses on low temperature distribution, electrification with advanced heat pumps, thermal storage integration, and thermal interactive buildings.

The materials below were part of a presentation given on Jun 18, 2020, as part of the Empire Building Challenge, in partnership with the GreyEdge Group.

Source: via NYSERDA

Strategic Decarb 101

Advanced Building Construction Collaborative Case Studies

These case studies cover projects that will dramatically reduce carbon emissions with deep energy retrofits for affordable multifamily housing in the Boston area. Deep energy retrofits dramatically reduce carbon emissions. These renovations transform affordable housing to be highly energy efficient, all-electric, powered by clean renewable energy, and renovated with materials low in embodied carbon. These projects are part of the Advanced Building Construction Collaborative’s demand aggregation. This work aims to demonstrate streamlined deep energy retrofits and retrofits using advanced building construction techniques to accelerate the adoption of this work in the market.

Source: Advanced Building Construction Collaborative