As we head into the holiday season and a new year, I would like to take a few moments to comment on the past year and to discuss what we have in store in 2022 and beyond.
As we know all too well, the coronavirus pandemic has caused unprecedented disruption across our economy and around the globe. For IDEA, 2021 was a year of planning and managing through uncertainty while preparing for forward progress and new opportunities for growth. While we still face many challenges related to the global pandemic, be assured that IDEA will continue to provide safe and valuable ways for us to connect and learn from one another, both in-person and online.
It is hard to believe that 2022 will mark our 113th year of operations. While none of us were around at IDEA’s founding in 1909, I believe our founders would be proud of the progress we have made as an industry and organization. Despite some setbacks peppered in with the successes over the past 113 years, what is most impressive - and so unique about the IDEA community- is the organization’s collegial spirit to collaborate and support each other.
That collegial spirit has been more evident than ever over the past two years. IDEA, its members, business partners, and industry colleagues have engaged during the pandemic to share strategies and apply technologies to help each other solve problems.
For IDEA, that meant accelerating our virtual presence through programs like the
Insights and Innovations Webinar Series, attracting thousands of online attendees. It also meant learning how to plan safe and secure hybrid conference events to ensure that networking, discovery of new technologies and idea exchange could continue in-person as well. Our staff and executive teams have worked harder to deliver the valuable technical content, peer exchange and best practices members have come to expect from IDEA. And we couldn’t have done it without your support and enthusiasm to connect with and learn from one another.
As we look ahead, 2022 will be marked by challenge and opportunity. Our industry is being asked to de-carbonize even more rapidly, while continuing to deliver reliable, efficient and resilient services. Governments at all levels are seeking solutions that IDEA members provide, and it will be important to step forward with confidence and clarity to advance our combined interests. IDEA will continue to adapt with hybrid conferences combining physical and virtual programming, enabling safe interaction among business partners, while still emphasizing high-quality, industry-led technical and business content focused on district energy, CHP and microgrids.
IDEA recognizes the importance of advocacy and education for this industry. Below is a partial list of the initiatives, pursuits and projects we have been working and continue to build upon as we head into 2022.
• IDEA continues our work on a multi-year grant for the US Department of Energy to validate and verify the efficiency and operational best practices of district energy systems in the US. The final report should bolster industry credibility and visibility.
• We provided important guidance on district energy to the US Congress Select Committee on the Climate Change Crisis and the US Department of Energy.
• In 2021, IDEA launched the Policy Working Group to focus on pending federal legislation including the bi-partisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act as we continue to monitor the Build Back Better Bill intended to support cleaner, more resilient energy.
• IDEA produced a short video for our members to explain how district energy infrastructure investments support climate and resiliency goals that was individually customized for over 30 member organizations reaching over 10,000 viewers.
• IDEAConnect, our on-line member platform, supported hundreds of member inquiries and comments, enabling direct peer exchange on issues unique to our industry.
• IDEA served as an active volunteer on a Technical Advisory Committee reviewing district energy in New York City as part of a City-led carbon reduction plan.
• We continued supporting NYSERDA’s efforts to deploy community district thermal networks and geothermal heat pumps in communities across New York State.
• IDEA produced a critical energy infrastructure inventory to show Congress and the Administration the aggregate national potential for industry funding to generate jobs and achieve efficiency/environmental goals.
• IDEA provided extensive technical and industry guidance to multiple national energy laboratories on best practices and potential for district energy
• The Young Professionals Group (YPG) and the District Energy Women’s Initiative (DEWI) expanded as we aim for more inclusion of future leaders for our industry and association.
• IDEA continues to serve as active industry resource to US DOE EERE and US EPA CHP Partnership
• Continued support for UN District Energy in Cities Initiative and represented the USA on IEA DHC CHP Technical Application Program on district energy research.
Looking ahead, our industry is clearly gaining momentum even during these challenging times. To our members, thank you for your continued support and participation. If you’re not currently a member, we welcome your participation and deeper involvement in the industry association. Please reach out to
Scott Szycher or
Cheryl Jacques who are ready to assist.
I hope to see you at our next
CampusEnergy2022 in Boston in February and
IDEA2022 Annual in Toronto in June. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to all. We look forward to sharing a happy and successful 2022 with you. Please do not hesitate to contact us at +1 508 366 9339 or
idea@districtenergy.org if we can be of assistance.
Sincerely,
Robert Thornton, President & CEO
IDEA
rob.idea@districtenergy.org
www.districtenergy.org
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