Utility Thermal Energy Networks and Jobs Act: Chelsea & Rockefeller Center
As part of a New York State Public Service Commission initiative to decarbonize buildings across New York State, the Utility Thermal Energy Networks and Jobs Act was passed to accelerate the development of utility-scale, grid-interactive thermal energy networks (UTENs). These systems reduce greenhouse gases; they harness waste heat, geothermal energy, and advanced heat pump technology to provide efficient, low-emission heating and cooling across multiple buildings. Two of the most ambitious pilot projects under this act—the Chelsea and Rockefeller Center networks—are redefining how we think about sustainable energy in both residential and commercial contexts.
Chelsea UTEN Pilot
The Chelsea Utility Thermal Energy Network is a first-of-its-kind pilot aiming to recycle waste heat from a commercial data center and harness it to serve nearby multi-family residential buildings. Located on the Fulton Houses Campus, the system is designed to provide heating, cooling, and domestic hot water (DHW) to four New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) buildings comprising 327 dwelling units. Two of these buildings also receive space heating and cooling, dramatically reducing their dependence on traditional fuel-based systems.
GMS provided structural engineering services across multiple aspects of the system. Our work included the design of a new opening in the foundation wall to provide access for new equipment in the cellar for one of the buildings, designed a new slab on grade and steel dunnage to support new equipment in the cellar for the other buildings to address the unsuitable subgrade materials on site, reinforced concrete sump pits in the cellar for most of the buildings, support for vertical and horizontal pipe runs, support for ambient loop connections and shell-and-tube heat exchangers; we also provided evaluation of the existing base building structure for the new loads imposed from new plumbing equipment and a structural analysis of the existing rooftop dunnage.
Rockefeller Center UTEN Pilot
The Rockefeller Center Utility Thermal Energy Network showcases how legacy commercial buildings can integrate renewable energy solutions without compromising on performance. This project replaces steam-based heating with a network of geothermal wells, waste-heat recovery systems, and high-capacity heat pumps to serve three major buildings—1230 Sixth Avenue, 600 Fifth Avenue, and 1221 Avenue of the Americas—comprising over 3.6 million square feet of floor space. All systems are tied into the iconic 30 Rockefeller Plaza central plant.
GMS was responsible for the design of supports for horizontal pipe runs through the Rockefeller Center subway station, coordination with the MTA and preparation of filing documents, and the design of supports for vertical and horizontal risers throughout 1221 Avenue of the Americas. We also evaluated the base building structure and designed new supports where needed to accommodate the large loads of the vertical risers. GMS analyzed the floor framing for most of these buildings for the loads imposed by equipment and designed slab and beam reinforcement.
Through both projects, GMS contributed to the innovative and sustainable transformation of New York City’s energy infrastructure. As these pilot networks pave the way for future development, they stand as a model for combining structural ingenuity with environmental responsibility.
Reference:
https://www.coned.com/en/our-energy-future/our-energy-vision/where-we-are-going/thermal-energy-networks
https://www.coned.com/en/our-energy-future/our-energy-vision/where-we-are-going/thermal-energy-networks/chelsea
https://www.coned.com/en/our-energy-future/our-energy-vision/where-we-are-going/thermal-energy-networks/rockefeller-center