Industry News

John Andrepont wins 2019 IDEA Norm Taylor Award

At its 110^th Annual Conference in Pittsburgh, PA, the International District Energy Association (IDEA) presented the Norman R. Taylor Award to longtime member, John Andrepont of The Cool Solutions Company.

The Norman R. Taylor Award is the highest individual honor IDEA confers, named after a former industry executive known for treating people with respect and humility. IDEA President Rob Thornton presented the award to John Andrepont, recognizing his career achievements in the district energy industry and tireless advocacy for IDEA. The award was presented at the Annual Chair’s Banquet at the conclusion of IDEA's 110th Annual conference and Trade Show in Pittsburgh, PA.

As an active member of IDEA for over 25 years, Mr. Andrepont has always stepped up to serve as moderator, panelist, or technical chair for IDEA conferences around the globe. He has served as Technical Chair for 3 District Cooling Conferences in the Middle East and moderated countless sessions IDEA program sessions. “He is always willing to share and is first in line to provide his experience and data and intellectual property to all of us – his colleagues, his competitors, his industry peers” noted Rob Thornton, President & CEO, IDEA.  

Mr. Andrepont earned a Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York.  He joined Trigen Energy Corporation in 1996, serving in multiple positions prior to starting his own company, The Cool Solutions Company, in 2000. John has authored numerous technical papers and articles and is the inventor of over a dozen U.S. patents. He has been involved in the development of well over 100 thermal energy storage (TES) projects and more than a dozen district energy systems, as well as large and small scale turbine inlet cooling (TIC) projects, on five continents.

In awarding Mr. Andrepont IDEA’s most prestigious individual honor, his deep commitment to energy efficiency and resource conservation was recognized by his peers.  “We are pleased to recognize such an outstanding individual who tirelessly and effortlessly advocates for our industry.  John Andrepont is a real champion in moving the district energy industry forward,” said Rob Thornton, IDEA President and CEO. “The International District Energy Association is proud to have the leaders of our industry as members of our organization and pleased to recognize the career contributions of John Andrepont in support of our mission.”