In 2019, Urban Green Council launched Advancing Electrification, a near-term roadmap for scaling heat pumps in NYC's large multifamily buildings. In Year 1 we identified the obstacles to heat pump retrofits through stakeholder convenings and in-depth research; in Year 2, we published nine recommendations to jumpstart electrification in this sector in our Going Electric report.
As Donovan Gordon, Director, Clean Heating and Cooling at NYSERDA said, “Increasing energy efficiency using clean heating and cooling technology such heat pumps will play a critical role in supporting New York State’s Green New Deal, Governor Cuomo’s nation-leading clean energy agenda. We look forward to working with the Advancing Electrification team to develop priorities and make buildings cleaner and healthier for thousands of New Yorkers.”
A critical component to NYC’s long-term emissions reductions, building electrification includes shifting heating and hot water systems to electrical technologies such as heat pumps. This transition is especially important in the multifamily sector, which accounts for more than 30 percent of the city’s carbon emissions from buildings. This groundbreaking work is funded by The Rosin Fund of the Scherman Foundation and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).
Advancing Electrification Advisory Committee
Urban Green has brought together over 30 organizations to guide the priorities and scope of Advancing Electrification. With representation from every market sector, the Advisory Committee will help us develop thoughtful, impactful research and policy. Many thanks to all of our Advisory Committee member organizations:
| 32 BJ SEIU | FirstService Residential | National Grid | P.W. Grosser Consulting |
| AKF Group | Fujitsu General America | National Electrical Contractors Association | Realty Operations Group |
| Arup Group | Green Star Energy Solutions | Natural Resources Defense Council | Related Companies |
| Bright Power, Inc. | Joint Industry Board of the Electrical Industry | New York City Housing Authority | Rudin Management |
| Carrier | Lehr Engineering | Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships | Sanden USA |
| City College of New York | The Levy Partnership | New York University | Steven Winters Associates, Inc. |
| Consolidated Edison | Local Union No. 3 I.B.E.W. | New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) | Trane-Ingersoll Rand |
| Daikin North America | Mitsubishi | Pratt Institute | UA Plumbers Local Union No. 1 |
| Dandelion |
HOW WOULD ELECTRIFICATION CHANGE OUR BUILDINGS?
© Urban Green Council
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OUR ELECTRIFICATION WORK
REPORT
ONLINE COURSES
- Conference speaker Marc Zuluaga takes a closer look in Heat Pumps: What's Possible in NYC
- Hear Richard Leigh, the chief researcher and author of our 90 by 50 Report, discuss his findings in Inside 90 by 50: A Conversation with the Researchers.
ELECTRIFICATION BLOG SERIES
- What is building electrification, and why is it important to discuss now? Our Executive Director explains.
- How will electrification impact architects, and why should they start thinking about the power grid now? Rafael Pelli of Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects shares his thoughts.
- When it comes to electrification, which questions remain? Richard Leigh, author of our 90 by 50 report, lays them out.
- Is the electrification of building systems a new concept? Policy Manager Chris Halfnight takes us back to the 1950s.
- Conference Recap, Part 1: "Is Electrification Just an Electri-Fiction?"
- Conference Recap Part 2: "Transforming Building Systems"
- Event Recap: Converting Heating Systems
- External Resource: "How efficient is a heat pump?" (Leonardo Energy)