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The heat held in New York's underground labyrinth of infrastructure, from hundreds of miles of subway tunnels to parking garages and malls, is a clean energy gold mine. Now, a Swiss startup wants to tap it to heat and cool buildings, all without drilling a single borehole.
Globally, heating … View moreThe heat held in New York's underground labyrinth of infrastructure, from hundreds of miles of subway tunnels to parking garages and malls, is a clean energy gold mine. Now, a Swiss startup wants to tap it to heat and cool buildings, all without drilling a single borehole.
Globally, heating accounts for nearly half of all energy consumption. That could make decarbonizing it a half-trillion-dollar market, according to a BloombergNEF analysis. Using the Earth’s heat offers one route to cut emissions, but traditional geothermal projects can be costly and require space to operate drilling equipment, making them a poor fit for cities.
Startup Enerdrape’s system uses energy-harvesting panels in manmade underground spaces, though, which could allow it to gain a toehold in cities. The Swiss company focuses on older multifamily buildings, which are harder to decarbonize than newer builds. In New York, residential structures built before 1960 make up more than 64% of the housing stock, though not all of it is well-suited for the panels.
“There really aren’t many companies doing this,” said BNEF analyst Stephanie Diaz. “They are truly a novel approach in how to decarbonize buildings,” though the company will have to figure out how to scale its technology to work with a wide variety of buildings.
Enerdrape’s technology is the product of decades of research spearheaded by Lyesse Laloui, a professor at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology at Lausanne. A five-time startup founder, he’s spent the last 15 years tackling the question of how to turn underground structures into energy sources.
Initially, he created a solution for new construction, but realized that it only addressed a small part of the decarbonization puzzle compared to existing buildings. He and his team developed a prototype heat-exchanging panel in 2015.
Enerdrape’s panels affix to concrete infrastructure, which can hold large stores of heat. (Think of how hot a subway station gets in the summer, for example.) Enerdrape taps that heat using a system of prefabricated panels that absorb geothermal energy from the ground or the air. Even when underground spaces aren’t sweltering, the ground temperature, at several feet of depth, stays relatively constant throughout the year.
During the summer, Enerdrape’s system uses the underground as a heat sink to absorb a building’s heat and cool it. In the winter, it does the opposite, using the ground like a battery to warm things up.
The system requires installing one panel for roughly every 110 square feet (10 square meters) of a building’s floor area. The panels are connected to heat-transferring fluid, working in tandem with one or more heat pumps.
“Enerdrape moves heat from where it’s not needed to where it is,” co-founder and Chief Technology Officer Alessandro Rotta Loria said.
Rotta Loria, who was Laloui’s former PhD student, likened it to an underground solar panel that feeds on heat rather than the sun’s rays. Enerdrape says its panels can meet 100% of the space heating, cooling and hot water needs for buildings up to 10 stories in height.
The company, which launched in 2019, has projects across Europe, including with Switzerland’s largest retailer, Coop Immobilier, small businesses like a dental office in Spain, utilities and multiple Swiss cities.
It also teamed up with Engie, one of Europe’s largest gas and renewable energy suppliers, to provide energy to 72 homes with Paris Habitat, France’s largest affordable housing provider. Enerdrape said its 145 panels provide 70 megawatt-hours of heat per year and cover 25% of homes’ domestic hot water needs while avoiding 15 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
Despite many urban areas setting ambitious climate goals and a growing number of residential electrification programs, few companies target affordable housing, according to a 2022 report from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. Decarbonizing heat first is the most cost-effective way to electrify affordable housing, the group found.
Low-income housing tends to be old buildings that are more expensive to retrofit, said Thatcher Bell, who leads climate tech accelerator The Clean Fight’s programs. High upfront cost for replacement, financial constraints and the large number of stakeholders in these buildings make operators less likely to install new technology. The accelerator selected Enerdrape for a recent cohort of startups focused on low-cost, low-construction ways to cut emissions from older units, without displacing residents. The need for those types of solutions is growing.
In New York, Governor Kathy Hochul calls for building 800,000 electrified or electrification-ready homes by 2030. New York City, meanwhile, passed a law to tackle building emissions, which account for approximately 70% of the city's carbon footprint. Similar measures in cities like Boston and Seattle have followed.
The majority of New York City residential buildings covered by the law are pre-war construction of six stories or less, according to the Urban Green Council. That provides plenty of opportunities for technology like Enerdrape’s. However, the startup faces some challenges.
Heat pump adoption is higher in parts of Europe, and Enerdrape will have to contend with slower adoption in the US due to cost. Upfront cost, which includes panel installation and heat pump connection, is typically between $100,000 and $500,000, depending on a building’s available surface area that can be activated as a heat source. Political headwinds in the US are another issue, with President Donald Trump curtailing federal support for heat pumps.
The system can cut electricity costs, though. According to the company, it can deliver energy at 3 to 4 cents per kilowatt hour, compared to the average US gas price of 17 cents per kWh. Enerdrape says its solution is cheaper in Europe, where fuel costs are 3 to 5 times higher than in the US.
The system also won’t help with larger buildings, which are some of New York’s biggest energy users. “We’re not going to be able to do much” with a 60-floor high-rise, Rotta Loria said.
Be aware of an investment scam that is allowing access to people’s phones.
How it works: The scam encourages you to install an app from an unverified source. This requires that you change your phone settings.
❌ DO NOT allow your phone to install unknown apps.
Once the app is … View moreBe aware of an investment scam that is allowing access to people’s phones.
How it works: The scam encourages you to install an app from an unverified source. This requires that you change your phone settings.
❌ DO NOT allow your phone to install unknown apps.
Once the app is installed, the scammers can gain access to your phone’s info. This will impact you, but may also facilitate scams on people you know using information lifted from your phone and installed apps.
For more information, head to Own Your Online
If you get suspicious communication, please contact Netsafe.
Stay active and keep doing the things you love.
Join a strength and balance class near you. With classes to suit every pace and ability, and trained instructors to guide you through, it’s a great way to keep healthy and make new friends. So you can live stronger for longer, and keep living the … View moreStay active and keep doing the things you love.
Join a strength and balance class near you. With classes to suit every pace and ability, and trained instructors to guide you through, it’s a great way to keep healthy and make new friends. So you can live stronger for longer, and keep living the life you want. Find a class near you today.
If you want to feel inspired!....A migrant here in 2017, Dhriti Girish had a lightbulb moment which led onto something very cool in the field of sport. All achieved within only a few years of landing here- and her efforts saw her win some pretty wonderful awards- including national recognition!
… View moreIf you want to feel inspired!....A migrant here in 2017, Dhriti Girish had a lightbulb moment which led onto something very cool in the field of sport. All achieved within only a few years of landing here- and her efforts saw her win some pretty wonderful awards- including national recognition!
I luckily got to tell her story :) newsroom.co.nz...
Get creative with your child (or grandchild) with this simple-to-make two-in-one DIY project – that repurposes fence palings as handy shelving finished in Resene Waterborne Woodsman Whero and turns one plant into 12 new ones to display on it. Find out how to make and finish your shelving and pots… View moreGet creative with your child (or grandchild) with this simple-to-make two-in-one DIY project – that repurposes fence palings as handy shelving finished in Resene Waterborne Woodsman Whero and turns one plant into 12 new ones to display on it. Find out how to make and finish your shelving and pots with these easy step by step instructions.
We’re the bargain hunter’s best friend!
At Crackerjack, we’re always on the hunt for unbeatable deals to keep your trolley full and your wallet happy! With fresh bargains landing weekly (and flying out fast), you’ll want to grab them before they’re gone. From everyday essentials to … View moreWe’re the bargain hunter’s best friend!
At Crackerjack, we’re always on the hunt for unbeatable deals to keep your trolley full and your wallet happy! With fresh bargains landing weekly (and flying out fast), you’ll want to grab them before they’re gone. From everyday essentials to international treats, exclusive ranges and more, there’s always something new to discover.
Check out our latest specials today!
Kia ora neighbours, do you know if Council is sending two guys to check (or do something) in property's manhole? Two men came by mine today but I am not sure whether this was legit.
I've been asked by a lot of people what my position is on the Western Springs Speedway:
✅ I SUPPORT Speedway STAYING at Western Springs.
A few months ago, there was consultation on the future of the Western Springs Stadium, however none of the options guaranteed speedway staying. But … View moreI've been asked by a lot of people what my position is on the Western Springs Speedway:
✅ I SUPPORT Speedway STAYING at Western Springs.
A few months ago, there was consultation on the future of the Western Springs Stadium, however none of the options guaranteed speedway staying. But before a decision could be made, one of the options - the "Auckland Arena" proposal - was withdrawn, leaving the consultation results in disarray.
So now the future of the stadium will be decided after the election by the incoming council. If this is an issue that you are concerned about, it is important to ensure that your councillors support continuing the rich history of speedway at Western Springs.
Photo credit: James Selwyn, RNZ.
- Authorised by John Gillon, john@johngillon.co.nz
Premium care is just meters away from our village. Join our caring community, where passion thrives. Trust Terrace Kennedy House for exceptional care and meaningful connections.
Butter, power bills, and those sneaky surcharges on your card ... it feels like everything’s creeping up in price lately. We’ve seen the headlines, but we want to hear it from you.
Overall, Most Kiwis say they’re ‘not prospering’. But, according to Retirement Commission data, some … View moreButter, power bills, and those sneaky surcharges on your card ... it feels like everything’s creeping up in price lately. We’ve seen the headlines, but we want to hear it from you.
Overall, Most Kiwis say they’re ‘not prospering’. But, according to Retirement Commission data, some members of our community (women, Māori, and Pacific people) are experiencing worsening financial positions at elevated rates.
Stats NZ tells us that food prices have jumped 4.6% since this time last year, with meat and dairy doing most of the damage. This jump is hitting us all, but groceries are just one part of the picture.
When basic costs keep climbing, the old cost-saving tricks — like bulk-buying or stockpiling on sale — don’t always work. Who can afford to spend more upfront when every dollar already has a job?
We want to know: What costs have caught you off guard the most? What are the expenses that feel impossible to juggle right now?
Share your thoughts below!
Hey! Im Ropene and I’m an avid collector as well as buyer and seller of Vintage Clothes, Retro Games and collectibles! Im always looking to buy more so if you have any old vintage clothes hiding like rugby jerseys, band shirts or any clothes from the 90s era to even older like 50s, 60s, 70s … View moreHey! Im Ropene and I’m an avid collector as well as buyer and seller of Vintage Clothes, Retro Games and collectibles! Im always looking to buy more so if you have any old vintage clothes hiding like rugby jerseys, band shirts or any clothes from the 90s era to even older like 50s, 60s, 70s & 80s era I’d love to have a look! Also would love to have a look if you have any old video games like playstation 1 or 2s and old nintendos like gameboys etc that’ve been put in a box and forgotten! Flick me a message if you think you have something I’d be interested in, worst I can say is no 🤝😊
Don't forget to enter a Bright Spot in your home, workplace or community for a chance to win one of ten amazing prizes! Whether it's a colourful fence, a mural in your office or a place in the community that makes you smile - we'd love to see it.
Share a Bright Spot today for a … View moreDon't forget to enter a Bright Spot in your home, workplace or community for a chance to win one of ten amazing prizes! Whether it's a colourful fence, a mural in your office or a place in the community that makes you smile - we'd love to see it.
Share a Bright Spot today for a chance to win one of ten prize packs worth $500.
And make sure you check out the entries so far too.
Kia Ora! Im Ropene and I’m an avid collector as well as buyer and seller of Vintage Clothes, Retro Games and collectibles! Im always looking to buy more so if you have any old vintage clothes hiding like rugby jerseys, band shirts or any clothes from the 90s era to even older like 50s, 60s, 70s … View moreKia Ora! Im Ropene and I’m an avid collector as well as buyer and seller of Vintage Clothes, Retro Games and collectibles! Im always looking to buy more so if you have any old vintage clothes hiding like rugby jerseys, band shirts or any clothes from the 90s era to even older like 50s, 60s, 70s & 80s era I’d love to have a look! Also would love to have a look if you have any old video games like playstation 1 or 2s and old nintendos like gameboys etc that’ve been put in a box and forgotten! Flick me a message if you think you have something I’d be interested in, worst I can say is no 🤝😊
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