Large-Scale Thermal
Explore Large-Scale Thermal Systems for Your Building, Campus, or Community
What is large-scale thermal?
Just a few feet beneath the earth’s surface the underground temperature is a steady at around 54°F throughout the year. Large-scale thermal systems, which use ground source heat pumps (GSHPs), use this steady temperature to heat buildings in the winter and cool them in the summer. When it’s cold outside, GSHPs move the heat from the earth into the buildings they serve, and when it’s hot outside, they move heat from those same buildings into the earth. In addition to geothermal energy, GSHPs can use other sources of thermal energy with consistent temperatures, such as nearby bodies of water or wastewater facilities.
There are already examples of where large-scale thermal systems including this one in Brooklyn, NY , that capture and reuse heat from the ground and other sources, have been installed in large buildings and campuses throughout New York State.
Where do large-scale thermal systems work best?
Large-scale thermal systems are often a good solution for a large building or groups of buildings with a variety of heating and cooling loads, such as those found on college campuses, hospital/healthcare settings, multifamily and mixed-used developments, and others. Many sites are already located near low-carbon thermal resources like the ground, wastewater, and waste heat. Project sites with space to install heat exchangers underground (parking lot, greenspace, sewer), in water bodies, and in buildings can capture and reuse the thermal energy that would otherwise be lost through exhaust systems, cooling towers, and wastewater leaving a building.
Get Started
-
Large-Scale Thermal Program
Explore funding for the design and implementation of large-scale thermal projects for one or multiple buildings.
-
Flexible Technical Assistance (FlexTech) Program
Complete an energy study with cost-share support from NYSERDA to evaluate your building’s heating and cooling needs.
-
Webinars
View recordings from the 17-part webinar series on community heat pump systems, developed in partnership with ASHRAE.
-
Reports and Resources
Access studies about the potential of community heat pumps and step-by-step resources for moving a project forward.
-
Large-Scale Thermal Projects
Explore 50+ community heat pump system projects, including feasibility and design studies for a range of building types across New York State.
You Might Also Be Interested In
- Empire Building Challenge: Access resources and technical assistance to help commercial and multifamily real estate owners implement low-carbon retrofits.
- Heat Recovery Program: Become a qualified solution provider or funding to advance heat recovery opportunity assessments, project design, demonstration projects, or business development services.
- Multifamily Building Programs: Explore funding opportunities for multifamily building owners to make energy-efficient upgrades and manage their energy use.
- On-site Energy Manager Program: Get cost-share support to hire a dedicated on-site energy manager for your industrial, commercial, institutional, or multifamily facility.
Sign Up For News
Stay up to date on the latest news, announcements, and program updates.
Stay Connected