Empire State Plaza energy master plan

The Empire State Plaza (ESP) is a spectacular building complex in downtown Albany, New York, home to several state agencies, the legislature, and governor’s office. Pioneered by the late New York Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller in 1965, the iconic hub is the workplace of 13,000 state employees.

In connection with New York State Energy Research and Development Agency (NYSERDA), the New York Power Authority (NYPA), and New York State Office of General Services (OGS), Ramboll recently developed a plan to decarbonize ESP over the next 25 years. This plan will contribute to NYS reaching its climate commitments while improving environmental conditions for Albany residents.

ESP’s current heating and cooling system uses a steam boiler plant, powered by natural gas, to provide heating during the winter months and leverages the high-pressure steam from boilers to power several chillers for cooling in the summer months.

The plan includes:

• Installation of electric chillers to replace the steam-driven chillers
• Installation of heat recovery chillers
• Implementation of a thermal energy network
• Possible geothermal wells
• Possible wastewater heat recovery
• Considerations for industrial heat recovery

OGS Commissioner Moy stated that the project will result in “real and dramatic improvements” near the steam plant by reducing dependency on fossil fuels and the impact on the environment.