All Sessions in SALON D
10:00 am
Geothermal Incentives in Northeast Status & What’s Coming
This panel presentation will cover a range of topics outlining various incentive structures, focused largely in the Northeastern - so New York, New Jersey and New England's states. Topics include but are not limited to: how incentives are calculated for different types of buildings and system types, the rules for these calculations, often guided by a Technical Resource Manual (TRM) and how the rules are set through a regulatory process. The panelist will discuss what elements of these programs are working well and what needs work. What ideas can be exchanged that would improve the way GSHP incentives levels and program administration are optimized to support market development.
Moderator:
- Bryan Roberts / Dandelion Energy
Panel:
- David Orellano / Con Edison (NY)
- Daniel Sadik / Carbon Solutions Group
- Ricky Jordan / Eversource (CT)
- Olivia Prieto / RMI (NJ)
11:30 am
Beyond Savings - What are the Ideal Metrics for Energy Incentive Programs?
How can incentive programs move beyond energy savings measured in either MMBTU or kWh? This panel will explore other ways to send out price signals to the market and to align rewards in a way that minimizes long term investments and lowers the long-term cost of energy.
Moderator:
- Joseph Hitt / NYS Department of Public Service
Panel:
- Robert Greig / Con Edison
- Jens Ponikau / Buffalo Geothermal & NY-GEO Board
- Jennifer Livermore / Department of Energy
- Akhilesh Ramakrishnan / The Brattle Group
1:30 pm
Policies, Laws and the Growth of the Geothermal Heat Pump Industry
What policy measures will right-size the energy playing field and open up widespread adoption of geothermal heat pumps? What measures right-size the cost of geo for building owners relative to air source heat pumps and fracked gas? What measures right-size the gas system to fit New York's climate goals? What measures create the right environment for geo to scale up?
The panel will explore the real costs of GSHPs vs. alternatives presented in light of New York's Climate Law, including natural gas, RNG, hydrogen blends and ASHPs. Additionally, the impacts of right sizing the gas system and potential paths for scaling GSHP installations.
Moderator:
- Bill Nowak / NY-GEO Board Member
Panel:
- Allison Considine / Building Decarb Coalition
- John Rath / NY-GEO
- Jeanne Bergman / Sane Energy Project
- Kevin Moravec / Barney Moravec, Inc.
2:45 pm
Electrifying the Majority: How do we move from early adopters to heat pumps for all?
New York’s Climate Action Plan envisions at least 1 million homes electrifying by 2030 and 85% of buildings in New York heated with heat pumps by 2050. To reach that scale, we need to move rapidly from installing heat pumps in only the homes that can afford the upfront costs today, to installing heat pumps in every home that is getting a new heating or cooling system. How can we achieve this major shift when so many homes are in desperate need of weatherization and electric service upgrades just to be “heat pump ready”? Then how can we make sure that heat pumps are just as affordable and available for low income homes as they are for higher income households? This panel will explore the barriers to widespread and equitable heat pump installation and offer some paths forward for shifting to electrification for all.
Moderator:
- Avni Pravin / AGREE
Panel:
- Sameer Ranade / NYSERDA
- Sahara James/ KC3
- Jenna Lawson / Climate Solutions Accelerator
4:00 pm
Meeting IRA Prevailing Wage with Apprenticeship Requirements
To achieve the largest multipliers for IRA tax incentives, large geothermal heat pump projects (thermal capacity over 1 MW), must pay prevailing wage and meet specific registered apprenticeship requirements. In some specialties, we have labor unions that can meet these requirements, but other areas are lacking. This panel will discuss what steps are being taken to ensure the workforce will not become a barrier to the most efficient means of building electrification. Emphasis will be given to developing the geothermal drilling trades to adequately support the growing demand for GHP systems and Thermal Energy Networks.
Moderator:
- Andrew Iliff / HEET
Panel:
- Brock Yordy / Geothermal Drillers Organization
- Emily Engman / Eide Bailly LLP