All events will be held in Ballroom 2, second floor, Mayo Civic Center.
Tuesday, March 12, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Facility Tour (optional)
Interested in a first-hand tour of a facility that has been converted to be part of a future thermal energy network? The City of Rochester has graciously offered to provide guided tours of their project. Led by Scot Ramsey, Manager of Facilities and Property, Rochester, Minnesota, participants will visit City Hall to see the installation, view the geothermal well heads and heat pumps and hear directly from facilities staff that accomplished the transition.
Tours are open to registered attendees only. Click here to sign up for one of the tour options.
Tour Guide: Scot Ramsey, Manager of Facilities & Property, City of Rochester
Tuesday, March 12, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Registration
Tuesday, March 12, 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Opening Plenary Session
Our opening plenary session will set the stage for the Thermal Energy Networks Symposium. We will hear from the Rochester City Council president and from Senator Klobuchar, one of the greatest champions of geothermal technologies in the US Senate. Lauren Boyd, the director of the Department of Energy’s Geothermal Technologies Office will discuss her vision for the future of geothermal technologies. Participants will also benefit from an overview of the mission of Geothermal Rising followed by an insightful perspective on the uniqueness of Rochester’s positioning to become an investment ready city and a deep dive into the big picture behind Thermal Energy Networks (TENs) rapid expansion across the United States. Finally, former NHL Hockey great, Mike Richter will share with us why someone in his position, a Stanley Cup winner, would invest in Geothermal Technologies, becoming the president of Brightcore Energy.
Moderator: John Ciovacco, President, Aztech Geothermal | Immediate Past President, NY-GEO
Presenters:
- Lauren Boyd, Director, Geothermal Technologies Office, DOE
- Brooke Carlson, MA, MPH, City Council President, Rochester, Minnesota
- Leland Davis, Chief Operations Officer, Geologica | Board of Directors, Geothermal Rising
- Senator Amy Klobuchar, United States Senator (MN)
- Bryant Jones, PhD, Executive Director, Geothermal Rising
- Zeyneb Magavi, Co-Executive Director, HEET
- Mike Richter, President, Brightcore Energy | NHL Stanley Cup Champion, All Star and Hall of Fame, Olympic Medalist
- Patrick Seeb, Executive Director, Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency
Tuesday, March 12, 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM | Networking Break
Tuesday, March 12, 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM | Panel: How to Become an Investor Ready City: Carrot or Stick Conversation
Cities today are faced with the challenge of reducing costs and increasing reliability, while reducing and/or eliminating carbon emissions. Financing is often the crucial driver controlling deployment of solutions to this challenge, but there are now significant amounts of mission-driven capital available to meaningfully decarbonize the U.S. economy and communities. Investors and developers are seeking to deploy billions of dollars to transform our built environment; is your city investor-ready?
Jason Twill, Principal at Viridis Initiative, will deliver a short, thought-provoking presentation on Investor-Ready Cities followed by a moderated panel discussion on how long-term investment in TENs can accelerate an equitable transition to electrification and renewable energy, and lay the foundation to create an “investor-ready” city. You will learn how TENs position cities to attract capital investment and talent, increase climate resilience and energy equity.
Moderator: Jason Twill, LEED Follow, Principal, Viridis Initiative
Panelists:
- Patrick Keane, City Council Member Ward 1, Rochester, Minnesota
- Zeyneb Magavi, Co-Executive Director, HEET
- Carol Mette, Senior Developer, Sherman Associates
- R. Brent Webb, Development Executive, Mortenson Development
Tuesday, March 12, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM | Presentation: Thermal Energy Networks – A Short History and Vision of the Future
During this session we will explore the history of low temperature geothermal heat pump technologies in the United States and beyond. Jay Egg’s analysis of this history leads up to the point where he met and began to work with John Murphy, International Business Representative for the Pipe Fitters Trade Union, representing nearly 400,000 families in North America. Be prepared to see Thermal Energy Networks in a brand-new light!
Presenters:
- Jay Egg, President, Egg Geo
- John Murphy, UA
Tuesday, March 12, 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM | Tuesday Wrap-up
Be prepared to engage! Audience members will participate in this facilitated conversation to reflect and build on the preceding sessions:
- What are the strongest messages we heard from the speakers in the Opening Plenary Session and how has it influenced your perspective on TENs?
- What can we learn from the efforts leading to today’s TENs and how do you see yourself contributing the envisioned future deployment?
- What are the challenges and opportunities in redeploying our existing workforce and building the future workforce to meet the moment?
Facilitator: John Ciovacco, President, Aztech Geothermal | Immediate Past President, NY-GEO
Tuesday, March 12, 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM | Networking Reception
Join us as we wrap up the first day of the 2024 Geothermal Rising TENs Symposium! Connect (or reconnect) with friends and colleagues, meet with our table-top partners, and engage with GR Staff to learn more about the association.
Tuesday, March 12, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM | Satellite Event: Innovation Center Mixer HGA Innovation Center, 221 1st Ave SW, Rochester, MN 55902
Wednesday, March 13, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Information & Registration
Wednesday, March 13, 8:00 AM – 8:30 AM | Networking Breakfast
Wednesday, March 13, 8:30 AM – 9:45 AM | Plenary Session: IRA Overview
Learn about the significant tax incentives for geothermal development created by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). This provides a deep dive into the IRA and what it means for the geothermal industry. Tax credits of 30%, 40%, and up to 50% dramatically impact the affordability and deployment of geothermal applications, including TENs. The IRA is significant not only because it tackles the climate crisis head on, but because it does so with economic opportunity at its core to build a clean energy economy that includes everyone.
Presenters:
- Doug Baldessari, CPA, Partner, Baker Tilley
- Faith Martinez Smith, Energy Policy & Regulatory Analyst, NREL
- Pete Wyckoff, Assistant Commissioner of Commerce, City of Rochester Minnesota
Wednesday, March 13, 9:45 AM - 10:00 AM | Networking Break
Wednesday, March 13, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Panel: Integration of TENs & Geothermal into Different Community Types Part I
This informative panel will explore exactly what is needed to integrate TENs into your community, as well as lessons learned directly from people who have already done it! This moderated panel of experts includes a diverse group you won't find anywhere else. Be prepared to gain an understanding of how to integrate TENs into your community in this session!
Moderator:
Panelists: John Ciovacco, President, Aztech Geothermal | Immediate Past President, NY-GEO
- Eric Bosworth, Manager, Clean Technologies, Eversource Energy
- Nick Fry, Geothermal District Energy Consultant, Jacobs
- Zeyneb Magavi, Co-Executive Director, HEET
- Lee Tapper, Senior Mechanical Engineer, Salas O’Brien
Wednesday, March 13, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Panel: Equipment & Component Suppliers Part I
Do you think you have a good understanding of the Geothermal Heat Pump (GHP) market in the United States? Be prepared to be dazzled as you hear from representatives of the heat pump manufacturers industry in two unique sessions before and after lunch. These moderated sessions will transform your understanding to new horizons allowing you to consider a breadth of potential solutions.
Moderator: Jay Egg, President, Egg Geo
Panelists:
- Jason Bose, Eastern Commercial Sales Manager, ClimateMaster
- Morgan Copeland, Regional Sales Manager, Oilon
- Tom Glass, Director of Sales & Marketing, Ice Air
- Scott Niesen, WaterFurnace
Wednesday, March 13, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM | Networking Lunch
Wednesday, March 13, 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM | Panel: Equipment & Component Suppliers Part II
This second session features both heat pump and component manufacturers with perspectives on their ability to contribute to the growth of TENs. We’ll hear about their experience with large commercial and campus systems, plus what they see as opportunities and challenges as TENs look to be a core piece of building electrification across North America.
Moderator: John Ciovacco, President, Aztech Geothermal | Immediate Past President, NY-GEO
Panelists:
- Jim Cusack, Special Projects Manager / TM, Enertech Global
- Dan King, PhD, Chief Technology Officer, Darcy Solutions
- Rahul Nana, Chief Technology Officer, Multiaqua Dual Source HPs
- Wesley Sherrod, General Manager, CORECHEM Heat Transfer Fluids
Wednesday, March 13, 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM | Panel: Workforce Readiness
This session features a panel representing perspectives on what’s needed to prepare the workforce to support decarbonization of buildings at scale through TENs. The success of clean energy policy initiatives, leading to significant federal and state incentives has set the stage for job growth in Thermal Energy Network related fields. Federal, and some states mandate the use of prevailing wage tied to a registered apprenticeship program for large renewable energy projects. Hear how TENs provide a clear path for well-paid union careers, and ensure all communities have equitable access to affordable clean energy.
Moderator: John Murphy, UA
Panelists:
- Julie Brock, Program Manager, City of Rochester Minnesota
- Lauren Jensen, Energy & Sustainability Manager, Destination Medical Center
- Jeremy McConkey, MN Local 455
- Travis Traut, Dual Rotary Drilling Manager/Sales Engineer, Traut Companies
Wednesday, March 13, 3:30 PM - 3:45 PM | Networking Break
Wednesday, March 13, 3:45 PM – 5:00 PM | Panel: Integration of TENs & Geothermal into Different Community Types Part II
This informative panel will continue to explore exactly what is needed to integrate TENs into your community, as well as lessons learned directly from people who have already done it! This moderated panel of experts includes a diverse group you won't find anywhere else. Be prepared to gain an understanding of how to integrate TENs into your community in this session!
Moderator: Jay Egg, President, Egg Geo
Panelists:
- Bari Smith Bean, Deputy CEO, Natural Resources, Imperial County
- John Ciovacco, President, Aztech Geothermal | Immediate Past President, NY-GEO
- Heather Deese, Director of Policy and Regulatory Affairs, Dandelion Energy
- Russell Knudson, Principal, HGA Architects
- Mike Luster, Sr. Mechanical Systems Engineer, Mayo Clinic
Wednesday, March 13, 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM | Networking Reception
Join us for our final evening together as we wrap up the 2024 Geothermal Rising TENs Symposium! Connect (or reconnect) with friends and colleagues, meet with our table-top partners and engage with GR Staff to learn more about the association.
Thursday, March 14, 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM | Breakfast & Presentation: What does the Future of Thermal Energy Networks Look Like?
As an established technology, geothermal space conditioning provides an efficient electrification solution for the energy transition in response to climate change. Thermal energy networks provide a large-scale opportunity to integrate geothermal technology with advanced building technology to decarbonize heating and cooling efficiently and effectively. What does the future hold for this cutting-edge technology?
Speakers:
- Michael Albertson, President, SHARC Energy
- W. Boyd Lee, VP Strategic Planning, CKenergy Electric Cooperative
- Betony Jones, Director of the Office of Energy Jobs, DOE
- Jonathan Hernandez, Business Development Director, Brightcore Energy
Thursday, March 14, 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM | Networking Break
Thursday, March 14, 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM | Closing Comments
We wrap up this impactful symposium after two vibrant and information-packed days where we look deep into the deployment and potential of Thermal Energy Networks and geothermal technologies across the United States and North America.
Speakers:
- Bryant Jones, PhD, Executive Director, Geothermal Rising
- Mayor Kim Norton, Rochester, Minnesota
- Scot Ramsey, Manager of Facilities & Property, City of Rochester
Thursday, March 14, 11:30 AM | Boxed Lunches and Adjournment
Thursday, March 14, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM | Facility Tour (optional)
Interested in a first-hand tour of a facility that has been converted to be part of a future thermal energy network? The City of Rochester has graciously offered to provide guided tours of their project. Led by Scot Ramsey, Manager of Facilities and Property, Rochester, Minnesota, participants will visit City Hall to see the installation, view the geothermal well heads and heat pumps and hear directly from facilities staff that accomplished the transition.
Tours are open to registered attendees only. Click here to sign up for one of the tour options.
Tour Guide: Scot Ramsey, Manager of Facilities & Property, City of Rochester
