Pete Wyckoff, Assistant Commissioner of Commerce, State of Minnesota presented a bounty of information on the development of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Pete served behind the scenes in the US Senate. He is described as a scientist that never gave up on passing the inflation reduction act. Minnesota is fortunate to have him working in the commerce division of energy resources.
Equipment Manufacturers served on two panels representing several major brands including ClimateMaster, Oilon, Ice-Air, WaterFurnace, Enertech, & Multiaqua. Attendees were treated to presentations on high temp heat pumps that can produce nearly 250° F4 retrofits and high temp buildings, dual source heat pumps that can be installed as air source and converted to Geothermal once the utility thermal energy network is installed, and multi-source heat pumps that use predictive technology to determine whether to exchange energy with the outside air or the thermal energy network.
CORECHEM, A heat transfer fluid manufacturer provided insightful intelligence on heat transfer of fluids. CORECHEM’s Mission is to protect our environmental resources with safe water-based heat transfer fluids in the event of any leakage, and provide services to ensure decades of trouble free heat transfer between our buildings and geothermal exchange resources. Heat transfer fluids are the lifeblood of thermal energy networks, and like any circulatory system, the fluid in thermal energy networks must be meticulously maintained and chemically balanced for trouble free equipment operation in cities and communities throughout the world.
John Ciovacco, President, Aztech Geothermal | Immediate Past President of NY-GEO co-hosted the event and provided a tremendous amount of organizational help, making the event flow well and provide concise and clear information to attendees. Aztech Geothermal is and New York based engineering and service company that has promoted geothermal technologies and has been involved in a multitude of thermal energy network utility systems throughout the northeast.
Heather Deese, Director of Policy and Regulatory Affairs, Dandelion Energy (a Google X spin out) shared Dandelion’s vertical integration concept. The company has installed thousands of geothermal heat pumps into various communities throughout their growing servicer area. They own the drill rigs, employ the people, design the systems, and have been a motivating factor in the national uptake of geothermal heat pump technologies worldwide
Mike Luster, Sr. Mechanical Systems Engineer, Mayo Clinic Spoke of their $5 billion plus expansion of the Mayo Clinic in downtown Rochester. His even-tempered explanation of Mayo's commitment to decarbonization was inspiring to all present. It is Mike's responsibility is to oversee the overall mechanical systems operation for the massive Mayo Clinic campuses. He is looking forward to utilizing geothermal technologies to decarbonize Mayo’s mechanical systems.
Michael Albertson, President, SHARC Energy Shared the exciting expansion of Wastewater Energy Transfer (WET) throughout the world. This is perhaps the most underutilized energy technology in the United states. Billions of kilowatt hours of energy are literally flushed and swept down the drain before we have a chance to recover and reject BTUs into that wastewater energy stream. Mike likes to say that we already have a thermal energy network installed under our streets; it's our sanitary sewer system.
W. Boyd Lee, VP Strategic Planning, CKenergy Electric Cooperative gave an impactful presentation and was able to clearly delineate how geothermal heat pumps reduce peak demand. Boyd illustrated how their energy cooperative can fund geothermal loops 100% and recover those funds within just a couple of years In peak electrical demand savings. His presentation provided decisive and conclusive evidence that implementation of geothermal technologies in any community will provide peak demand reduction to such a degree that the systems pay for themselves.
Brooke Carlson, MA, MPH, City Council President, Rochester, Minnesota shared her vision for the expansion of thermal energy networks throughout the city. Individuals such as Brooke are integral to moving this technology along in communities nationwide.
Patrick Seeb, Executive Director, Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency Talked about the partnership that Mayo has with the city of Rochester through the Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency. Rochester has a unique relationship with the Mayo Clinic through the advocacy of the destination Medical Center (DMC).
Senator Amy Klobuchar, United States Senator (MN) Dazzled attendees with her personal address to the Rochester Thermal Energy Networks Symposium attendees, citing many projects throughout Minnesota that have helped Minnesota to become a shining beacon of renewable energy efforts.