Pace Energy and Climate Center Supports Development of Code for Geothermal Energy Systems

In the summer of 2024, the Pace Energy and Climate Center at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law, Pace University (the Center), and the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), jointly published Chapter 17 of the Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC) as a standalone document (IAPMO/UMC/Chapter 17-2024). This document is intended to address the critical need for enforceable safety provisions for geothermal district ambient temperature loop systems and draws upon the Center’s expertise in geothermal energy systems.

This version of Chapter 17 follows the 2024 edition of the Uniform Mechanical Code (Chapter 17) and may be used in any jurisdiction seeking to adopt standards for geothermal energy systems and ambient temperature loops. These systems include district-wide geothermal energy systems and district ambient temperature loop systems that circulate ground-ambient-temperature water to be used in end-use buildings as a thermal source or sink, via water source heat pump or reversing chiller. In addition, this Standard also addresses many critical issues in geothermal energy systems and ambient temperature loops such as Specific System Components Design, Ground-Heat Exchanger Testing, Geothermal Ambient Temperature Loops (ATL), and ATL Distributed Energy Systems Design Requirements as well as other design requirements.

References to chapters of the 2024 Uniform Mechanical Code have been written to refer to the corresponding code as adopted by the local jurisdiction.  Accordingly, this document can be considered for integration into local codes based on any of the model codes commonly adopted by local jurisdictions in the United States and other countries. Sample legislation included in the document recommends that jurisdictions wishing to adopt Chapter 17 of the Uniform Mechanical Code as an enforceable regulation governing plumbing systems by reference should include in their ordinance the legal basis for adoption and implementation of the Chapter.

While speaking on this joint effort, the CEO of IAPMO, Dave Viola, had this to say: “With the Pace Energy and Climate Center’s long history of focusing on renewable energy and decarbonization, along with IAPMO’s leadership in the geothermal district systems with its consensus-based Uniform Mechanical Code, this joint effort greatly strengthens our industry,”

Former Executive Director of the Pace Energy and Climate Center, Craig Hart, who led the Center’s collaboration with IAPMO, stated that “IAPMO’s leadership in standards development for district geothermal systems meets an urgent need among municipalities seeking to accelerate the adoption of clean heating and cooling technologies, and Pace is very happy to support IAPMO in developing a standard that can support those municipalities.”

Pace Energy and Climate Center is excited to have collaborated with IAPMO on this project in continuation of its research and development of much-needed policy solutions to climate and energy crises around the world.

Press Release, IAPMO, IAPMO, Pace to Publish UMC Chapter 17 as Standalone Document for Geothermal Energy Systems and Ambient Temperature Loops (ATL) (Sept. 9, 2024), at https://iapmo.org/newsroom/press-releases/iapmo-pace-to-publish-umc-chapter-17-as-standalone-document-for-geothermal-energy-systems-and-ambient-temperature-loops-atl.

Pace Energy and Climate Fellow, Janine Migden-Ostrander, to Present on Using Wind, Solar, Battery Storage, and Energy Efficiency and Demand Responses to Address Growing Power Demand

The Pace Energy and Climate Center (Center) is pleased to announce that on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, Janine Migden-Ostrander, one of the Center’s Institute for Energy Democracy Fellows, will join other energy experts in a roundtable to discuss how state power generation can keep pace with the trend toward increased electricity demand. The roundtable will focus on Central Ohio which is in a period of growth and has become a hub for data centers, like Intel, which use large quantities of electricity.

Energy forecasters are scrambling to ensure that there are adequate supplies of electricity.  State officials and utilities in Ohio have been focusing on meeting the increased demand by adding more natural gas plants and encouraging fracking.  They have also proposed legislation to expedite power plant siting review.  In the roundtable discussion available virtually, and in-person at the Columbus Metropolitan Club, Janine Migden-Ostrander will offer an alternative view that promotes least cost options such as wind and solar, battery storage, and energy efficiency and demand response.  She will argue that while Ohio has had smart meters throughout a large percentage of the state, utilities and regulators have not tapped into the benefits of using them to manage load and avoid high peak costs and forced blackouts.  She will also argue that total reliance on natural gas plants will not benefit Ohio in the long run due to environmental impacts and costs and that the portfolio needs to be diversified to include legitimate clean energy sources.

For more details and to register: https://columbusmetroclub.org/event/all-amped-up-can-ohio-meet-its-future-energy-needs/

Janine Migden-Ostrander’s bio can be found at: https://energy.pace.edu/experts/