Thermal Energy’s Tipping Point

Q1. Could you start by giving us a brief overview of your professional background, particularly focusing on your expertise in the industry?

I am a chemical engineer by training and have spent most of my career in the energy industry. I started out in upstream oil & gas and worked internationally. Eventually, I transitioned to gas utility work. From there, I joined the clean technologies team at a large utility. I led the first utility geothermal network project in the US. Recently, I have focused on developing thermal energy networks at both the building and district levels. After leaving the utility in 2025, I started my own boutique consulting firm to support the industry more broadly.

Q2. How would you describe the current momentum in the thermal energy systems market, and what forces are driving or slowing it down?

Interest in thermal energy systems seems to be growing by the day. The IRA legislation passed in the US had a jump-starting effect on the industry, and the rest of the world seems to be pushing in the same direction. The primary motivations are varied, but energy security, peak load management, and carbon reduction goals are all driving the industry forward.…