Thermal Energy Networks
6/12/25 @ 3:00PM
LaFitte Room
The Basics
What does This mean?
A thermal energy network (TEN) uses a network of water pipes to interconnect buildings and thermal energy sources to provide space heating, cooling and domestic hot water. The network can harness otherwise wasted thermal energy from buildings, sewage systems, underground transit stations and other “waste” heat sources. Additional baseload thermal sources can include shallow geothermal boreholes, bodies of water, and data centers. TENs can be especially beneficial in areas with cold winters and hot summers.
Why Does This Matter?
When installed, these networks can provide efficient, fossil fuel-free heating and cooling to commercial and residential buildings. It provides pathways for buildings to benefit from its neighboring buildings through heat exchange.
How can this advance equitable building decarbonization?
Provides an alternative to gas in harder to electrify areas
Provides a neighborhood scale decarbonization option
TENs relies on local energy sources