Salon E
Room Proctor: Chris Winkler / Aztech Geothermal, LLC
10:00 am
Geothermal 101: An Introduction to Geothermal Heat Pump Technology
For those who are new to the world of heat pumps for heating, cooling and hot water, this workshop will provide a basic overview of the technology including how and the situations it is best suited for. The session will address the difference between geothermal systems for single buildings and when it might be more advantageous to develop a group of buildings as a Thermal Energy Network. For those whose job it is to explain or sell heat pumps, Mimi’s colorful and compelling presentation will prove to be invaluable.
Presenter:
- Mimi Egg / Egg Geo, LLC
11:30 am
2026 GEOSTAR TOP JOB Presentations
The objective of the GEOSTAR Top Job Competition is to highlight and recognize the incredible talent, creativity and imagination that geothermal system designers and installers are bringing to the market. Additionally, these excellent case studies communicate to those outside the industry the variety of ways that geothermal heat pump technology can be applied. The judging and selections will occur prior to the NY-GEO conference and the winners in three categories will present their projects in this session. Awards will be presented at the NY-GEO Annual dinner in the evening.
Moderator:
- Joanne Coons / NY-GEO Member
1:30 pm
Innovative Domestic Hot Water Approach
This session discusses a pilot project that introduced a groundbreaking geothermal system tailored for dense, multifamily urban housing, setting a new standard in sustainable residential infrastructure. The existing traditional fossil-fuel-based domestic hot water systems were replaced with high-efficiency, closed-loop vertical geothermal heat pumps that will supply year-round hot water to 1,745 apartments across 17 multifamily buildings. In partnership with a geothermal systems manufacturer, the project team developed an innovative 30-ton dual-compressor heat pump capable of producing domestic hot water at more than 140°F.
Presenters:
- Jens Ponikau / Buffalo Geothermal & NY-GEO Board
- Hugh Henderson / Owahgena Consulting, Inc.
2:45 pm
High Temp Heat Pumps for Space and DHW Applications
One of the key barriers to broader building electrification is the relatively low temperature water delivered by most electric heat pump systems. Perish the thought (!) say these panelists who have electric heat pumps that take on the delivery temperatures typically reserved for fossil fuel boilers. High-temperature space and water heating building delivery infrastructure can be left in place with little or no modification, reducing the high cost of building conversions.
Moderator:
- Austin Crosby / LaBella Associates
Panelists:
- Ian Motley / Olion/MPN
- Chris Ebener / Nyle Water Heating Systems
- Chris Johnson / Trane
- Geoff Cullen / GA Fleet (Lync by Watts)
4:00 pm
Ground Heat Exchanger Design with Modular Reversible Chillers
Geothermal system designers and building owners are compelled by the versatility of a modular reversible chiller system as the core of an HVAC system. However, with great versatility comes a level of complexity regarding how the system will operate and the control strategy to achieve desired results. How a 6-pipe chiller system is ordered from the factory, piped and controlled will have a significant bearing on how the building interacts with a ground heat exchanger (GHX). This program will discuss the design and control options available, and how these decisions impact the design of the external GHX.
Moderator:
- Amanda Schneck / NY-GEO BOD and WaterFurnace
Panelists:
- Daniel Cowan / Fynite AE (controls)
- Dan Arnold / JR Swanson
- Michael Medlock / Climate Control Group