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Annual
Conference, Trade Show Build Energy, Enthusiasm
The 98th Annual Conference and Trade Show of
the International District Energy Association convened in June
in Scottsdale, Ariz., in the beautiful ‘dry heat’ of the
American Southwest.
Hosted by
Northwind Phoenix and held at the
Hyatt Regency at Gainey Ranch, the conference attracted more
than 400 registrants from around the world, including more
than 60 first-time attendees. Reflecting the substantial
economic growth and importance of water and energy
conservation in the Phoenix area, the conference theme of
sustainable energy infrastructure was particularly relevant
and timely.
All
conference photos by Jeff Stanton.
The welcome dinner,
sponsored by Northwind Phoenix and its key business partners,
featured Native American dancers from the local Hopi tribe
whose message of environmental stewardship and commitment to
future generations through respect for the earth set a theme
of sustainability that infused the entire conference. In fact,
the entire IDEA gathering joined in the ceremonial community
circle dance to share in the celebration.
Insights from Experts
Conference general chair Jim
Lodge of Northwind Phoenix and The Honorable Mary Manross,
mayor of Scottsdale, offered a warm and gracious welcome to
start the official program. Mayor Monross explained the
commitment of her local community to conservation of natural
resources and sustainable energy practices.
The opening plenary session
featured enlightening presentations by Peter Fusaro, chairman
of Global Change Associates, on the momentum gathering for
carbon emission regulations and heightened investor interest
in cleaner energy technologies. Dr. Robert Dixon, head of the
Energy Technology Division of the International Energy Agency,
provided insights to global trends in energy consumption and
carbon dioxide emissions along with remarks on IEA’s efforts
to promote increased adoption of combined heat and power and
district energy systems to increase fuel efficiency. Mark
Spurr, IDEA’s legislative director, reported on energy
legislation proposals and IDEA’s initiatives under way in
Washington, D.C. The U.S. Senate was voting on energy
legislation that very week, and IDEA members were exhorted to
contact their Senators to voice support for the respective
titles. (Unfortunately, the energy bill fell short on a
procedural vote and will be revisited in coming weeks).
A panel of distinguished
industry leaders, each representing a segment of IDEA
membership, offered their views on how environmental
objectives and higher energy costs are shaping business trends
and changing operations strategies. Clearly, policy trends
indicate favorable conditions for greater energy efficiency
and cleaner solutions. In many cases, IDEA members are
“setting the pace and leading the way.”
Once again, the technical
program featured world-class experts on district energy
technologies and business practices. Conference technical
chairs Ann McIver of Citizens Thermal Energy and Tim Griffin
of RMF Engineering assembled a full program of qualified and
engaging presentations and panel discussions. We are grateful
and thank them for their efforts!
The breakout technical sessions
drew a large number of participants. This year IDEA offered a
track focused on hiring, motivating and retention of highly
qualified personnel and featured discussion on employee
training and safety. On a parallel track, the Business
Development Forum hosted a panel discussion featuring real
estate and community planning leaders from the Phoenix area to
discuss topics such as energy infrastructure, sustainable
solutions and their perceptions of district energy systems.
IDEA sincerely thanks the
many
sponsors and
exhibitors of this year’s conference and trade show.
Acknowledging Accomplishments
The annual IDEA conference
provides the setting for member recognition, including the
District
Energy Space awards. In North America, more than 40
million sq ft of building space was committed or connected to
district energy systems, bringing the total to over 388
million sq ft since District Energy Space was initiated in
1990. Outside of North America, industry growth in district
cooling continues at an astounding volume as participants in
the Middle East announced over 220 million sq ft in 2006
alone.
Felicia Ruiz of the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency’s CHP Partnership presented an
EPA CHP Energy Star Award to Arizona State University for the
Sun Devil Energy Center developed by APS Energy Services, an
affiliate of host Northwind Phoenix. Following, IDEA bestowed
Sustainable Energy Leadership Awards on Phoenix Mayor Phil
Gordon and ASU President Michael Crow. Mayor Phil Gordon was
on hand to accept the award. ASU’s David Brixen, assistant
vice president, Capital and Facilities Services, accepted the
award on behalf of President Crow.
Colleen Litkenhaus, deputy
assistant secretary for Domestic Operations for the U.S. &
Foreign Commercial Service was on hand to present a U.S.
Department of Commerce Export Achievement Award to Stellar for
its success in the Middle East district cooling market. Kurt
Liebendorfer, vice president of Stellar, received the award on
behalf of the employees of Stellar and recognized IDEA’s
engagement through the Market Development Cooperator Grant and
the support of people like Mark Wells of U.S. Department of
Commerce.
New
directors
and officers were elected at the annual business meeting.
Bob Smith of RMF Engineering Inc. was elected chair of IDEA,
Dennis Fotinos of Enwave was elected first vice chair, and
Juan Ontiveros of University of Texas Austin was elected
second vice chair. Tom Guglielmi, NRG Thermal, continues as
secretary/treasurer and Gary Rugel, EVAPCO, becomes past
chair. Bob Smith will nominate a member of the board to serve
as at-large representative to the Executive Committee. Newly
elected board members are James Adams, Cornell University;
Gregg Coffin, University Missouri Columbia; Tim Merrill, NRG
Energy Center Pittsburgh; Tom Pierson, TAS; Steve Tredinnick,
Syska Hennessy Group; and David Toombs, Citizens Thermal. Mike
Goff of Stanford was elected by the IDEA board to complete the
balance of the term formerly occupied by Everett Wolverton of
University of Cincinnati.
Gary Rugel was pleased to
present IDEA’s System of the Year Award to the first-ever
two-time winner, Con Edison Steam Operations. From left to
right, Con Edison employees shown with the award are, from
left to right, Vincent Badali, section manager, Steam Business
Development; Ramy Nahas, section manager, Engineering; Ronald
Bozgo, vice president, Steam Operations; (Rugel); and Saumil
Shukla, general manager, Steam Distribution.
IDEA would like to
congratulations to all our
award
winners in their respective category.
After receiving the gavel
from Gary Rugel, Bob Smith of RMF Engineering, the new IDEA
chair, offered eloquent remarks about the value of IDEA, the
importance of our mission to enhance energy efficiency through
environmental stewardship and his focus for next year:
“Sustain, Energize and Grow.”
The conference concluded with
technical tours of the Northwind Phoenix district cooling
facility at the Phoenix Convention Center and Arizona State
University’s Sun Devil Energy Center. IDEA thanks and
acknowledges the many contributions of Northwind Phoenix,
including Jim Lodge, David Stoppenbrink, Larry Russell and
Joel Wagner for their terrific hospitality and for a memorable
conference in the ‘dry heat’ of Phoenix.
Largest Trade Show Ever
Sixty-four different
exhibitors occupied 70 trade-show booths, the largest trade
show IDEA has held to date. Many exhibitors commented
positively on the quality of the conference, the interest
level of the attendees and the overall value of the setting
for business development.
For 2007, exhibitors voted
Johnson Controls/York as “Best in Show.” Ian Spanswick, left,
and Joe Brillhart, second from left, accepted the award from
Gary Rugel during Tuesday evening’s ceremony. IDEA thanks all
exhibitors for their participation. You are a valuable
information resource for our attendees!
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