New York to host IDEA event focusing on climate change

The International District Energy Association (IDEA) is to host a summit in New York City on September 23rd, which will seek to provide policy makers and civic leaders with proven, community-based energy solutions to increase resilience and respond to climate change.

The IDEA, in conjunction with Euroheat & Power and the International Energy Agency (IEA), will convene a gathering of international experts at the Global District Energy Climate Summit in New York City to discuss how district energy and combined heat and power (CHP) systems can provide more resilient energy infrastructure for cities, communities and campuses while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions and strengthening local economies.

IDEA President & CEO Robert Thornton said almost a year on from Hurricane Sandy, officials “are seeking practical guidance from the energy industry on how to enhance reliability through more robust and resilient infrastructure. At the same time, public officials want actionable strategies to cut emissions and bolster their local economies. Fortunately, this Summit will deliver both and feature proven examples of industry best practices from North America, Europe and the Middle East that will allow industry and government leaders to share insights on successful development, deployment and optimization of district energy.”

Representatives from Enwave Energy of Toronto and Cornell University will discuss their renewable district cooling systems using cold lake water to efficiently air condition millions of sq ft of building space at nearly one-tenth the operating cost of traditional cooling systems.

Meanwhile representatives from Copenhagen, Denmark and other municipalities will explain how they convert waste into useful energy and power for citizens, cutting emissions and reliance on fossil fuels.

The Global District Energy Climate Summit and Awards will take place on September 23 at the Hudson Theater in midtown Manhattan and is a registered event of ClimateWeekNYC. More information on the program and registration is available at http://www.districtenergyclimateawards.org