Constant Demand and Constant Supply
In the United States, we have enjoyed the luxury of consistent energy flow. However, mass power loss is something many parts of the world experience on a regular basis. Storms like Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Sandy, really emphasized our need to focus on the future of energy. Energy remains a global issue and one that calls for innovation as well as collaboration.
USA Map of Energy Consumption
Shaping The Next Generation Of Energy For Cities
IDEA2015 is an international forum shaping the next generation of energy for cities, bringing together experienced global industry leaders from across North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East to discuss and debate the state and the future of energy.
Energy Tours
Some of the featured technical tours can be found by clicking this link IDEA2015 Technical Tours.
Biogen
The Biogen Campus in Cambridge, MA is the U.S. Headquarters to a company that researches, develops and manufactures biopharmaceuticals. The Biogen Cogen Plant includes a 5.4 MW gas turbine, a heat recovery boiler with a capacity of 50,000 PPH, two dual fuel boilers each with a capacity of 50,000 PPH and 1,800-tons of absorption chillers. The plant is the recipient of the Northeast Clean Heat and Power Initiative’s (NECHPI) Project Champion Award for 2013.
Cambridge – Veolia Energy Kendall Station
Veolia Energy will provide a tour of their recent $112 million dollar investment to re-power this key generating asset by improving the heat rate, enhancing resiliency and recovering waste energy that was being dumped into Charles River with new piping infrastructure from Cambridge to Boston. This investment fundamentally reinforces the objectives of the EPA Clean Power Plan.
Veolia Energy North America recently purchased the Kendall Cogeneration Station in Cambridge.
Longwood Medical Area Total Energy Plant (MATEP)
This tour will feature the mission-critical CHP district energy system providing power, district heating and district cooling services to the Harvard-affiliated hospitals in Longwood Medical Area including Dana Farber, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconness & Harvard Medical School. This plant was awarded the EPA CHP Energy Star Award in 2013.
Longwood Medical Area Total Energy Plant (MATEP)
Listen To The Interview
In this segment of the Clean Energy View, which is a special series produced by The Organic View Radio Network, host, June Stoyer will talk to Mr. Robert Thornton, President and Chief Executive Officer of the International District Energy Association about the upcoming IDEA2015! To listen to the interview, please press play on the video below.
Learn More About IDEA2015
IDEA2015, which will take place at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, is an international forum shaping the next generation of energy for cities, bringing together experienced global industry leaders from across North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East to discuss and debate the state and the future of energy.
After decades of business-as-usual, the utility industry is quickly transforming the way it generates, distributes and values energy, particularly as it relates to more sustainable and resilient cities and communities.
IDEA2015 will explore best practices in developing, owning and operating district energy, CHP & microgrids in cities, drawing from local operations including Boston campuses, pharma and biomedical industries, and medical institutions.
To register, click this link IDEA2015 Registration.
About Robert Thornton
Rob Thornton is President and Chief Executive Officer of the International District Energy Association (IDEA), a 106-year old industry association founded in 1909 and located near Boston, MA, where he represents the interests of nearly 2000 IDEA members from 25 countries.
In his primary role as advocate for the district energy industry, Mr. Thornton has briefed the President of the United States and members of his Cabinet, members of Congress and staff, senior leadership at the US Departments of Energy, EPA and Commerce, energy and environment ministries in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia as well as countless state and local government agencies across North America.
Robert Thornton, President and Chief Executive Officer of the International District Energy Association
Over 28 years in the district energy industry, Mr. Thornton has led the startup and growth of new district energy systems in three different US cities with responsibilities for site selection, franchise negotiations, permitting, financing, system construction, marketing and business development, with particular focus on profitability and revenue generation.
Mr. Thornton currently represents the US on the IEA District Heating and Cooling Implementing Agreement and IEA CHP Collaborative and serves as a founding member of the Microgrid Resources Coalition (MRC) and United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) District Energy in Cities Initiative. IDEA supports the US DOE Technical Application Program and the EPA CHP Partnership. He serves as publisher of District Energy magazine, oversees 3-5 global conferences annually, and has published numerous articles and white papers on district energy policies and deployment.
Mr. Thornton has received the IDEA Norm Taylor Award and the CHP Champion Award from USCHPA. He is a graduate of Tufts University and resides in Massachusetts with his family.