New York Advances Thermal Energy Networks to Convert Waste Heat into Clean Energy
The state of New York is actively pursuing the development of thermal energy networks (TENs) to transition away from fossil fuels for heating and cooling. The New York Public Service Commission has approved two utility thermal energy network (UTEN) plans, allocating $111.5 million for their development. These projects, located in Haverstraw and Buffalo, aim to connect various structures, including residential, commercial, and governmental buildings, and an elementary school, to systems that capture ambient temperatures from underground and waste heat from sources like sewer systems. The Haverstraw project will utilize bore fields and wastewater, while the Buffalo project will integrate boreholes and a wastewater heat recovery system with an existing steam heat system. This initiative is supported by the UpgradeNY coalition, which advocates for clean electric heating through thermal networks and heat pumps.
