Derek Johnson

The Jamestown Board of Public Utilities is seeking federal and state funding to progress its proposed “Retool District Heating/Charting for the Future” project to upgrade and expand the utility’s District Heating Division.

The utility is pursuing government funding to design and upgrade the system to minimize the impact on customer costs. The future of the “Retool District Heating” project depends on the success of the funding efforts.

In the meantime, BPU crews who have been out in the streets this summer making infrastructure repairs, are expected to continue maintaining and improving the system over the next few years.

“The District Heat System received numerous awards and accolades when it was first implemented 40 years ago,” stated BPU General Manager David L. Leathers. “Now, the team at the BPU is looking to upgrade and enhance that system to improve its operating condition for current customers while assessing a possible expansion into surrounding communities.”

Established in 1984, the system distributes hot water through insulated underground lines that flow throughout downtown Jamestown and north on Main Street to heat seventy buildings. The process first depended on the coal-fueled BPU power plant to heat the water before converting the thermal supply fuel source to natural gas.

With New York State’s current stance against using fossil fuels to create electricity and heat, the BPU will ultimately need to transition away from natural gas as a fuel for District Heating while working to update and enlarge the system.

A multi-year study funded by the New York State Energy and Research Development Authority by Ramboll Engineering assessed the BPU system and created a list of the most cost-effective renewable options for heating buildings on the District Heat system. Based on the results of this study, the utility hopes to ensure an environmentally sound, efficient and cost-effective heating source for current and potential customers of the BPU’s district heat system.

In addition to seeking funds for the project, current work underway includes explaining the District Heat service to potential customers and inviting them to consider joining the heating system; improving the infrastructure of the current district heating system by replacing valves and lines to ensure the continued reliability and efficiency of the service; and studying and designing new ways to heat the water in the system that are cost-effective and sustainable; creating a District Heat system where multiple energy sources can be “plugged in” to heat the water and adapt the system to take advantage of the best available technologies.

The BPU has added an electrical engineer with facility energy use and maintenance expertise to its staff to concentrate on the new project. Derek Johnson will assist in visiting facilities heated by the BPU system and speaking with potential new customers interested in joining District Heating.

Information about and assistance with NYSERDA Flex-Tech studies that can help manufacturers assess clean heating options, including District Heat, are available by speaking with Johnson and other BPU staff members.

Johnson, who earned his electrical engineering degree at Swarthmore College, started his career as a commissioned officer in the United States Air Force, where he held roles constructing, operating and maintaining facilities and utility infrastructure on Air Force bases. In the twenty-five years that followed, he has developed his engineering and business acumen working for large and small companies delivering operations and driving innovation in the building automation and maintenance industries.

“Derek’s combination of technical background, deep business experience and the desire to serve his community makes him a great fit for the BPU and this project,” said Leathers.

As part of the District Heating project, the BPU has added information to its website at www.jamestownbpu.com/RetoolDistrictHeating, which more fully explains in basic terms the BPU’s “Retool District Heating/Charting for the Future” project. An animation introducing the concept of District Heating, produced by a Jamestown Community College student and BPU staff, is available to view on the page.

For questions and information about “Retool District Heating/Charting for the Future” or the BPU District Heating system, Johnson may be reached at 716-661-1643 or djohnson@jamestownbpu.com.