Tim Peer P.E., Vice President of District Energy at BOND Building Construction, holds an engineering resume like no other. Peer accelerates decarbonization and resiliency through the development of highly efficient district energy systems at top organizations. His unique ability to achieve goals, beyond what is deemed possible, is his industry trademark and sustains his high-impact career.
Taking the Road Less Traveled
When Tim Peer graduated from high school in 1983, career options were limited in the sleepy town of Horseheads, New York. So, he did what many young people do to find their path — he joined the military, enlisting in the Marine Corps.
Four years of service were eventually followed by mechanical jobs in construction. Throughout this time, Peer remained diligent in his career, but every so often, the nagging feeling that spurred his military entry would return. “What’s next?” would echo. Peer valued his role but wanted to know his work was making a real impact on the world.
One evening, Peer attended an open house at his local community college. Shortly after, he enrolled in the school’s mechanical technology program. In 1991, he graduated from Corning Community College with two degrees at the top of his class.
But with his first child on the way, Peer had no time to bask in his accomplishments. Though the year’s recession caused many jobs to dry up, he was fortunate to land a union chilled-water plant operator role at Cornell University.
Learning the ropes as he went, Peer’s managers supported him in cultivating his expertise. When the time was right, he enrolled in the university’s engineering program while working simultaneously. With an additional credential under his belt, Peer was pulled into district energy projects on campus—tasked with rebuilding essential plants and utilities—and eventually went on to manage the entire operation.
Exercising Determination, Cultivating Resilience
Peer’s time at Cornell was challenging and rewarding. His first project, Lake Source Cooling (LSC), was designed to harness the frigid waters of Cayuga Lake, replacing the university’s legacy cooling system. Despite LSC’s environmental benefits, outside speculators doubted the project’s legitimacy, seeing it as an opportunity for a private university to leverage a public resource for personal benefit.
Determined to soldier on, Peer was part of a team that embarked on a campaign to educate the public about LSC and was ultimately successful in reversing negative perceptions. Reflecting on this experience, Peer believes that education and outreach are critical to gaining buy-in for renewable energy projects. Exercising integrity and maintaining trust are two takeaways from this experience that Peer carries throughout his career.
LSC went into service in 2000 and has since reduced grid consumption by more than 25 million kWh annually. It is regarded as one of the most efficient Deep Lake Water Cooling (DLWC) projects in the world. And—LSC is Peer’s favorite project.
Championing a Clean Future
After 22 years at Cornell, the familiar voice returned, confirming that Peer’s work on campus was complete. Seeking a new opportunity to drive change, Peer was tapped by BOND Building Construction (BOND) to formulate a district energy line of business from the firm’s existing portfolio.
BOND recognized Peer’s unique ability to envision an ambitious objective and make it a reality through strategic action. BOND’s assessment proved correct. In only three years, Peer transformed the nascent business into the firm’s top business sector. Today, BOND is the largest builder of district energy systems in New England.
This year, Peer marks 9 years at BOND helping many of the premier educational institutions in the New England area move toward carbon neutrality through world-class district energy projects.
Innovation at IDEA
Peer fondly refers to his district energy colleagues as the “the most important people that no one ever hears about.” But with Peer’s election to the Board of Directors of the International District Energy Association (IDEA), Peer and his team at BOND are putting this sector on the map as a critical solution for energy resiliency and sustainability.
Looking ahead, Peer sees the future of his sector leveraging new sources of power generation, such as fusion energy. Working alongside an industry partner, BOND is helping to deliver what will be the first net energy fusion proof of concept and aspires to build the first grid connected fusion power plant, which could be instrumental in unlocking a new era of unlimited, carbon-free power.
Reflecting on his nontraditional path to a thriving career in district energy, Peer remarks, “I don’t know if anyone goes to school to actually study district energy. Just like the scene of Jimmy and Lloyd in Yellowstone—no one is cut out to be a cowboy. No one goes out to join this sector, but we all fall into it in our own different ways.”
Peer’s final takeaway: As a niche group of individuals tasked with accelerating decarbonization and increasing resiliency and reliability, district energy is a field where his peers share a common goal, celebrate the success of others, and make a real impact.
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