Thermal Energy Networks

Thermal Energy Networks: Frequently Asked Questions

Is the thermal energy network guaranteed to provide heat, allowing us to eliminate backup heat sources?

Any submitted design should have the capability of supplying all heating and hot water needs of the building. A submitted design may choose to include a backup heat source if desired. The intent of the thermal energy network is to eliminate or significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from buildings.

What assets would Con Edison own? The piping bringing in the ambient temp water, or also the heat pumps/chillers?

Please reference the RFI document for more details.

Assets Owned by Con Edison:

Utility Infrastructure:

Ambient loop piping connecting buildings (typically located in right of way)
Ambient loop pumps and piping in street
Geothermal boreholes, if required, up to energy transfer stations
Energy transfer station pumps
Customer side connection (piping, heat exchangers, pumps, and other equipment up to the point of customer owned infrastructure)
Anticipated site improvements (new pavement or landscaping)
Environmental remediation costs (soils and/or groundwater handling, transport, and disposal)

Utility Energy Supply:

Equipment needed for heat injection and rejection
Building management system controls and monitoring

If Con Edison owns the asset, what limitations does that put on the building owner going forward (e.g., variance right of way)?

Once the thermal energy network is in service, any proposed changes in building loading must be submitted to Con Edison, similar to the existing procedure for electric and gas service.

What happens if the building owner sells the building in the next two years?

The Con Edison thermal account will be transferred to any new account holder, similar to electric and gas service.

What happens if the building owner expands their property/facility after the project is completed, and the building owner wants to use the heating and cooling capacity they had with the project? What happens if Con Edison commits that thermal energy capacity to a different property nearby or next door?

Once the thermal energy network is in service, any proposed changes in building loading must be submitted to Con Edison, similar to the existing procedure for electric and gas service.

What is a building owner’s commitment to Con Edison regarding the purchase of utilities from Con Edison? If a building owner participates in this program, are they required to buy electricity (or other energy service) from Con Edison? Does the building owner have to buy from Con Edison?

All projects are within the Con Edison electric and gas combined service territory. If a customer requires or requests electric or gas service, it will be from Con Edison.

If the building has two different owners with individual spaces that would share the thermal system, does that qualify as two stand-alone existing buildings?

To qualify for the RFI, it must include at least two stand-alone existing buildings.

What is the opportunity for the designer/supplier/solution provider to have an O&M agreement allowing the supplier/designer to look after the lifecycle of equipment and to sustain the design?

The RFI submittal does not require an included maintenance agreement.

Is it a requirement that heat pumps be located in buildings, or are hot water thermal networks with centralized heat pumps eligible?

The thermal energy network infrastructure must be an ambient loop design, with operating temperatures between 50-90 degrees Fahrenheit. Designs inside of individual buildings are not restrictive for submission.

How will project risk sharing between Con Edison and the selected proponent work? Will Con Edison backstop development costs, or is the expectation that the proponent carries project development risk? If so please advise until what stage of the project the proponent should be prepared to carry development cost risk (i.e., terms sheet with customers, detailed design, tender, commissioning?)

Please refer to the earlier question and the RFI on the categories of cost. Individual agreements and associated risks between Con Edison, RFI respondents and individual customers will be developed in the future after a site is officially selected.