Geoexchange in New York
In 1999, the Geothermal Heat Pump Consortium launched
an initiative to transform the commercial, institutional
and industrial building market with Geoexchange technology.
This effort was through funding from the New York State
Energy and Research Development Authority (NYSERDA). Phase
1 of the program was aimed at increasing customer awareness
of geothermal heat pumps by building knowledge, expertise
and acceptance among architects and engineers in New York.
The program was designed to provide outreach and technology
transfer activities, including strategic outreach, design
assistance and technical workshops.
A Cost-Effective Program for New Yorkers
Phase I
According to NYSERDA the New York
Energy $martSM program is attracting significant external
spending in terms of co-funded and leveraged dollars.
Under Phase 1, those who received funding for design assistance
on Geoexchange projects are anticipated to invest $37.1
million to install the systems. The ratio of external
spending to New York Energy $martSM funding for the Geoexchange
program is 117.4 to 1.
In April, 2001, New York Governor George E. Pataki highlighted
the importance of Geoexchange.
"New York continues to
lead the nation in promoting new and alternative energy
sources that help protect and enhance the quality of our
environment. Geothermal technology offers one of the most
environmentally friendly means of heating and cooling
buildings while also lowering energy costs for New York's
consumers. This promising technology can play an important
role in our efforts to ensure we have the power we need
to continue to create jobs and offer consumers new ways
to save money. Whether it's solar power or geothermal
technology, we must continue to expand the menu of energy
options for all New Yorkers."
Phase II
To illustrate his commitment to the development of clean
alternative energy sources, Governor Pataki further announced
that the state will commit $250,000 to support the efforts
of the Geothermal Heat Pump Consortium to expand the use
of Geoexchange throughout New York state.
Phase II of the program was announced on Earth Day 2001
when Governor Pataki announced that New York would be providing
$250,000 to: “…continue education and outreach
efforts undertaken by the Geothermal Heat Pump Consortium
throughout the State. The additional funding will enable
the [GHPC] to further its efforts to build the infrastructure
for geothermal heat pump technology in the State.”
NYSERDA president William M. Flynn, said, "With the
Governor's support, NYSERDA is eager to continue and expand
our efforts to bring energy efficiency and renewable energy
technologies to the forefront and allow New York State to
reap the energy, environmental, and economic benefits the
technology offers."
Under Phase II, GHPC will concentrate on the development
of a local New York Geoexchange infrastructure, which is
necessary to create a viable and self-sufficient statewide
market. Our involvement will also consist of strategic outreach,
program communication and the development of a plan for
establishing a statewide Geoexchange program.
The continued involvement of GHPC on Phase II of the project
will result in the installation of an estimated 15,000 tons
of Geoexchange capacity within a two-year period. By the
year 2003 New York will begin reducing electricity consumption
and reaping environmental benefits of these systems, which
will provide 39,93,276 kWh of electricity savings in the
year 2003 and a demand reduction of 13,215 kW. This installed
capacity will reduce CO2 emissions in New York by 29,358
metric tons annually and produce the equivalent of 8,007
tons of carbon reduction. These savings can be expressed
as the equivalent of removing 6,473 cars from the road or
planting 4,012 acres of new trees. GHPC estimates that by
the year 2012 a cumulative total of 388,842 tons of new
Geoexchange capacity will be installed in New York State.
These estimates do not count additional installations
that are the result of market transformation rather than
the outcome of our direct involvement such as training and
support.For additional information on NYSERDA and its program,
go to www.nyserda.org.
New York Energy $mart (SM) Loan Fund
The New York Energy $mart (SM) Loan Fund program is offered
for the purpose of providing an interest rate reduction
up to 4.0% (400 basis points) off a participating lender's
normal loan interest rate for a term up to 10 years on loans
for certain energy-efficiency improvements and/or renewable
technologies. Special terms apply for the Liberty Zone.
To qualify for the New York Energy $mart (SM) Loan Fund
program, facilities installing energy-efficiency improvements
and/or renewable technologies must be assessed by the System
Benefits Charge in one of the following New York State investor-owned
utilities territories: Central Hudson Gas & Electric
Corp., Consolidated Edison of New York, Inc., New York State
Electric and Gas Corporation, Rochester Gas and Electric
Corporation, Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation, or Orange
and Rockland Utilities, Inc. The borrower must be approved
for financing through a lending institution (i,e., bank,
credit union) or leasing company that participates in the
program.
Residential borrowers (1-4 family homes) can qualify for
reduced interest rates on secured loans (effective on or
after April 1, 2004) up to $20,000 used to finance certain
energy-efficient improvements which have been pre-qualified
by NYSERDA. These improvements will be installed by Building
Performance Institute (BPI) - Certified Home Performance
Contractor with the exception of loans for the purchase
of Energy Star Appliances, grid connected photovoltaic systems,
wind turbines, and heat pump hot water heaters. These above-mentioned
improvements may be financed by loans obtained on a secured
and unsecured basis.
Other borrowers (other than 1-4 family homes) can qualify
for reduced interest rates on loans to improve multifamily
buildings (five or more residential units), manufacturing
facilities, business offices, retail storefronts, or manufacturing
processes. The maximum loan amount that may be subsidized
under this program for multifamily buildings is $5,000 per
residential unit, up to $5,000,000, and up to $1,500,000
for other facilities.
Funding for the New York Energy $mart (SM) Loan Fund program
is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. More information
about this program is available by visiting: http://www.nyserda.org/loanfund/default.asp
New Construction Program
The New Construction Program (NCP) can provide assistance
to incorporate energy-efficiency measures into the design,
construction, and operation of new and substantially renovated
buildings. These measures are designed to save energy through
reduced electric demand, and therefore reduce building operating
costs.
This program includes:
-
Technical Assistance is available to
help evaluate energy-efficiency measures and provide
guidance to your design team on incorporating new and
emerging energy-efficient technologies into your building.
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Funding is available to offset the additional
costs associated with the purchase and installation
of approved equipment.
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Assistance may also be available for
commissioning services, advanced solar, daylighting
technologies, and green building opportunities.
Eligible Applicants are New York State electricity distribution
customers of Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp., Consolidated
Edison Company of New York, Inc., New York State Electric
& Gas Corporation, Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation,
Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. and Rochester Gas and
Electric Corporation who own commercial, industrial, institutional,
not-for-profits, multifamily (five units or more), and health
care facilities. Public and private schools, colleges, and
universities, as well as State and local governments are
also eligible.
To learn more, visit the New York State Energy Research
& Development Authority's website at http://www.nyserda.org/programs/New_Construction/default.asp
Technical Assistance Program
New York State (NYS) industrial and commercial facilities,
State and local governments, not-for-profit and private
institutions, public and private K-12 schools, colleges
and universities, multifamily buildings greater than five
units, and health care facilities. Participants should be
New York State electric distribution system customers of
Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation, Consolidated
Edison Company of New York, Inc., New York State Electric
& Gas Corporation, Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation,
Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc., and Rochester Gas and
Electric Corporation.
NYSERDA offers assistance in the
following areas:
- Energy Feasibility Studies. These studies evaluate improving the energy efficiency
of a facility by identifying cost-effective measures,
which in turn increase productivity and economic competitiveness.
Types of assistance eligible for funding will generally
be in the categories of energy efficient equipment replacement
and evaluating energy-related process improvements.
- Rate Analysis and Aggregation
Studies. These projects analyze rates, load shape(s),
and energy service aggregation opportunities. The goal
is to help customers become more energy-efficient, and
obtain a better understanding of their energy consumption,
time of use, and purchase options through cost-effective
procurement practices. Examples of projects eligible for
funding include: analysis of customer baselines/loads/rates;
technical assistance to help customers to prepare for
negotiations with power marketers; advice on load aggregation
an energy efficiency projects from energy service companies
(ESCOs) with respect to potential performance contracting
opportunities; and aggregating customers to purchase energy.
- Energy Retro-Commissioning
(RCx). These projects can include analyzing and
evaluating procedures, which reduce energy consumption
and costs by identifying operational efficiency improvements.
Retro commissioning is a systematic process that optimizes
the performance of an existing building or system. RCx
does not include replacement of significant HVAC or other
building components, but rather focuses on the verification
of proper control strategies, sequence of operations,
operations and maintenance plans, and other building or
system optimization strategies.
- Long-Term Energy Management . These projects develop long-term capital budget
strategies for the systematic replacement or upgrade of
energy consuming and capital-intensive systems. They evaluate
the current condition of the existing equipment, its expected
useful life and energy efficient replacement alternatives
as a basis for a long-term capital budget strategy.
NYSERDA can provide a consultant through its Flexible Technical
(FlexTech) Assistance program, which offers the same services
as the standard Technical Assistance program. Or, customers
can work with a consultant of their choosing under the standard
Technical Assistance program.
Reference www.nyserda.org/programs/flextech.asp if you are interested in using the FlexTech program, or
for more information.
Flexible Technical Assistance (FlexTech)
FlexTech's primary focus is to increase productivity and
economic competitiveness by identifying and encouraging
implementation of cost-effective energy efficiency measures.
NYSERDA has contracted with engineering firms that were
competitively selected through an RFP process, to provide
a variety of technical assistance services to New York State
companies, custom-tailored to their energy-related needs.
These services are provided on a cost-shared basis, and
include:
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Engineering feasibility and technical
assistance studies
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Detailed analysis of specific energy
efficiency projects
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Process improvement
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Rate analysis, load shapes, and energy
service aggregation
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Engineering in support of project-financing
proposals
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Development of long term capital budget
strategies for the upgrade or replacement of energy-consuming
equipment
-
Retro-Commissioning of energy-efficiency
measures in existing buildings
Eligible applicants include New York State (NYS) industrial
and commercial facilities, State and local governments,
not-for-profit and private institutions, public and private
K-12 schools, colleges and universities, multifamily buildings
with greater than five (5) units, and health care facilities.
Reference www.nyserda.org/programs/flextech.asp if you are interested in using the FlexTech program, or
for more information.
Smart Equipment Choices Program
The Smart Equipment Choices Program is designed to accelerate
the incorporation of energy-efficient equipment in small
renovation and equipment replacement projects in commercial,
industrial, institutional, agricultural, governmental and
multifamily (defined as five units or more) buildings. The
goal of the program is to produce a permanent improvement
in "standard" equipment specification by encouraging the
purchase and installation of energy-efficient equipment
resulting in reduced electrical demand and cost in New York
State.
NYSERDA has available up to $1,200,000 for the Smart Equipment
Choices Program under PON 912. The maximum incentive has
been increased to $10,000 per applicant during this program
period for equipment purchased and installed from January
1, 2005 through December 31, 2005.
Businesses, not-for-profit and private institutions, public
and private schools, colleges and universities, health-care
facilities, and State and local governments are eligible
for this program. Eligible customers are electricity distribution
customers of Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation,
Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc., New York
State Electric & Gas Corporation, Niagara Mohawk Power
Corporation, Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc., and Rochester
Gas and Electric Corporation who pay the System Benefits
Charge (SBC).
Eligible Projects may include the replacement of existing
electrical equipment in buildings, installation of electrical
equipment as part of a building renovation of an existing
and occupied structure or of a vacant structure, installation
of electrical equipment in a new building or addition, or
the installation of electrical equipment that is not integrated
into the building electrical system, but is electric grid-dependent.
Eligible Equipment includes lighting and controls, unitary
HVAC, differential enthalpy economizer controls, demand
control ventilation sensors, motors, variable speed drives,
commercial refrigeration, coin-operated clothes washers,
or heat pump water heaters.
Reference www.nyserda.org/Programs/SmartEC/default.asp for more information about the Smart Equipment Choices Program.
Long Island Power Authority Geothermal
System Rebate Program
The Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) is offering rebates
to residential and nonresidential customers who incorporate
geothermal heat pumps into their homes and commercial facilities.
For residential facilities, LIPA is offering a rebate of
$600-$800 per ton for new installations and $150-$250 per
ton for retrofit installations. This program will end December
31, 2006.
For more information, call the Long Island Public Power
Authority at (800) 692-2626 or visit their website at www.lipower.org.
