District Energy - 2005 Second Quarter

Chairman’s
Message

As we approach June 2005 and IDEA’s Annual Conference & Trade Show in St. Paul, I have a hard time realizing that almost a year has passed since I became the chair of this great organization. Reflecting on what we have accomplished as an organization this past year, there are three things I want to highlight:

development of a new strategic plan for the organization

a major advancement in reaching out internationally

rapid growth of university and college involvement

The board, president and key personnel have developed a focused strategic plan, which I’m confident will strengthen and grow the organization, serve the membership even better and increase IDEA’s advocacy role in creating a more favorable legislative environment for the district energy industry.

To further reach out internationally, IDEA has decided to explore the possibility of opening an IDEA chapter in the Middle East to share our expertise and bring value to the fast-growing district cooling industry in that region. The chapter also would act as a platform for our consultants and vendor members to explore new business opportunities and enhance awareness of district energy’s benefits from a global perspective.

The most recent campus energy conference was a tremendous success and demonstrated the rapidly growing interest in our organization by universities and colleges. Our success stems from the dedicated work and foresight of the campus repre-

sentatives on the board, President Rob Thornton and Conference Technical Chair Bob Smith of RMF Engineering. The recent Campus Energy Conference in Washington, D.C., set a campus registration record and established a new standard of excellence for future conferences. Thank you for a job well done!

Rising fuel prices and the fact that most energy analysts think oil prices will remain high for several years with additional price spikes if there are supply interruptions, creates challenges but also new opportunities for our campus and utility members. Based on the fact that demand for oil is increasing faster than development of new supply, I think we will continue to see higher overall energy prices than what we have been used to in the past. (See the article on p. 21, which reports on the projections made by the Energy Information Administration through 2025.) Now is the time to recycle energy via combined heat and power, deep water cooling, conservation, etc., and to show how district energy can play a key role in a sustainable energy future.

There are many people to thank for the progress made toward making IDEA the apparent ’go-to‘ resource for the district energy industry. We are fortunate to have wonderful and dedicated volunteers, staff and board members.

Specifically, my thanks to two board members whose terms are coming to a close – Peter Cooper of MIT and Bob Smith of RMF Engineering – for their contributions to the industry and to IDEA. I’m appreciative of Peter’s insights and input on the industry, particularly as they relate to the campus environment. I also thank Bob Smith, not only for his contributions to the campus conference, but for the tremendous work he has done together with his colleague, Jon Eaton of RMF, to make the IDEA archives an on-line reality and a wonderful tool for our members.

I also am pleased to recognize Joel Greene of Jennings, Strouss & Salmon for his many contributions to IDEA as vice chair, chair and past chair. Joel brings tremendous

energy and conviction to IDEA and has been an effective leader in so many ways: revising the by-laws, cultivating international opportunities and guiding IDEA forward strategically during his term on the executive committee. IDEA is a better and healthier organization due in large measure to Joel’s stewardship. I personally congratulate and thank him for his six years of service.

To my successor, Cheryl Gomez of the University of Virginia, I pledge my support in the year to come. I look forward to handing the gavel over to her in June in St. Paul and am confident she will continue IDEA’s upward projection. Cheryl is a dynamic and respected leader in the campus energy community. Based on the tremendous success of our most recent campus energy conference, Cheryl’s term will undoubtedly be marked by strong growth and strategic direction.

Last, but not least, I sincerely thank IDEA’s President Rob Thornton for his leadership, foresight and dedication to IDEA and the district energy industry. Rob has shown he is the right person to lead the organization in its efforts to grow the membership and the industry. Rob and staff, thank you!

Please join me in my hometown, St. Paul, for IDEA’s 96th Annual Conference & Trade Show to enjoy and learn from the great body of knowledge among your IDEA colleagues, our international guests and, first and foremost, from the high-quality conference presentations and interesting plant tours on the agenda. (See conference details starting on p. 29.)