Want a Net-Zero New York? ConEd Might Hold the Key
By: Sarah Ahmed
Con Edison has proposed a New York pilot study to reduce carbon emissions through the construction of a thermal energy network (TEN) that uses geothermal energy to power homes.
“Sometimes you need to invest to learn,” said Greg Koumoullos, the Clean Energy Department Manager at Con Edison. “These things should exist and part of what we’re testing is if ConEd should do it.”
Although Con Edison recently sought approval from the New York State Public Service Commission to increase electricity bills by about 11.4%, the TEN project is separately subsidized and funded through regulatory assets. All newly installed TEN equipment will be at no cost to customers, and participation is fully voluntary. If the five-year pilot proves successful, customers can continue and pay a thermal energy fee or return to their previous non-renewable energy source.
Koumoullos explained that one of the main reasons Con Edison has begun considering whether thermal energy is a sustainable initiative they should supervise is due to Local Law 97. Nearly 70% of New York City’s carbon emissions come from the fossil fuels used to heat, cool, and power buildings, but the law aims to make New York City carbon neutral by 2050. Under LL97, most buildings over 25,000 gross square feet that exceed emissions limits will face annual fines beginning in 2025.
A Utility Thermal Energy Network (UTEN) consists of underground pipes filled with water-based fluid that connects multiple buildings. Geothermal energy is transferred through boreholes in the earth, and each building is linked to the network via a ground-source heat pump, providing heating in winter and cooling in summer.
“This is the future,” said Tom Thatcher, an employee who worked for Con Edison for 39 years. “It’s very exciting to have new technology that will help us get to a carbon free environment.”
Since climate change can disproportionately impact underserved areas, the pilot focuses on equity to increase access to efficient electricity benefits for disadvantaged communities and low-income customers. According to NYSERDA.gov and the criteria developed by the Climate Justice Working Group, there are 36 disadvantaged communities on Staten Island.
Mount Vernon is a designated disadvantaged community chosen in the pilot and it includes community buildings like churches and medical offices, single-family homes, and project-based Section 8 housing. Con Ed’s UTEN design involves drilling over 130 boreholes and connecting 50 buildings to provide clean energy to customers while demonstrating geothermal technology at the utility scale.The Mount Vernon project will also serve as a model for future projects across New York state, Westchester, and NYC, and can be implemented in environmentally similar suburban neighborhoods such as Staten Island.
“Environmental regulation spurs innovation,” said Professor Thatcher, an Environmental Science Department Lecturer at CSI. “It also spurs the development of jobs in other industries like construction, engagement and outreach which positively contributes to the community.”
A major aspect of the TEN pilot is community outreach, aimed at informing residents about the pilot’s goals and the equipment to be installed in buildings. Con Edison employees have participated in various on-site activities to communicate with Mount Vernon residents, including a summer event, Mount Vernon City Fest, and a Town Hall at Doles Center. They’ve also been involved in door-to-door canvassing to explain how the project will benefit the community, such as resurfacing and improving basketball courts where boreholes are drilled.
“We have to meet Mount Vernon customers where they are,” said Koumoullos. “This only makes sense if it makes sense to our customers and we want to make sure we have their interests in mind by partnering with the community, residents, and city.”
