2023 ENGINEERING SYMPOSIUM PRESENTATION HIGHLIGHT ASHRAE/ASPE - Electrification of Legacy Central Heating Plants

Presented by Jim Parks Sales Engineer with Stark Equipment’s Boiler Group

Background

Jim has 8 years of experience in the hydronic systems industry. He is an Adjunct Professor at MCC where he teaches a course in Hot Water Heating Systems. He is also the President-elect of the Rochester Chapter of ASHRAE. Jim lives in Irondequoit with his wife and two dogs and is expecting his first child in July

Summary

In this presentation Jim discussed New York State’s ambitious decarbonization and electrification goals and what can we do today to prepare our heating systems for this change. The presentation explored how to implement existing technologies right now to move our buildings closer to compliance with the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). We can utilize central plant infrastructure that exists in many buildings to reduce the carbon footprint of a building so it is in line with NYS goals, all while preparing for full future electrification. There were four main learning objectives; understand the timing and ramifications of NYS CLCPA, understand technology currently available commercially for decarbonization, understand design strategies for low carbon legacy heating plants, and understand the financial assistance available for implementation. A suggested design approach for heating systems today was discussed including; understanding the true building load, how to drive down overall energy consumption, how to build out infrastructure for full electrification, and replacement of gasfired equipment with electrical equipment. An application example was reviewed to show how a hybrid system (gas-fired boiler, electric boiler and heat pumps) could realistically achieve energy savings and carbon footprint reduction in line with NYS goals.

Excerpt

Shifting the Paradigm…

1. Stop thinking about 100% gas heating systems.

2. Stop thinking that we need our heating systems to be 100% electric.

3. If you utilize the available resources, a path exists RIGHT NOW to achieve this goal in a financially responsible way.

Editor’s note: This is what stood out to me…this is a shift in the way of thinking. There are things we can focus on, that are in our control (building engineers), and can do now (that are financially responsible) that will make a change.