A Time of Energy Transition at Princeton University

Course Description

Tom Nyquist, Executive Director, Engineering and Campus Energy and Ted Borer, Director, Energy Plants present a case study of Princeton’s prior, current and future energy infrastructure plans and the steps taken to realize significant decarbonization.

Recorded December 6, 2023. 

Learning Objectives:

• Apply Princeton University’s strategic decarbonization infrastructure master plan for its campus as a case study.
• Explain the basics, importance, and advantages of thermal energy storage.
• Identify necessary planning considerations and steps for minimizing a campus’ carbon footprint, such as passive design, high-performance envelope, creating an electric-powered heat pump facility, and creating daily and seasonal thermal storage.
• Apply Princeton University’s approaches to decarbonization on its campus, such as chilled water energy storage and cogeneration, to other higher education campuses and large energy users.

About the Instructor:

Tom Nyquist: As the Executive director of Facilities Engineering and Campus Energy, Tom is responsible for HVAC, electrical distribution, utility plant capacity additions, energy budget, underground utilities and energy conservation.  Previous to Princeton, Tom worked for a large consulting engineering firm that designed building MEP systems for all building types ranging from laboratories to data centers and corporate headquarters.  Before the consulting engineering position, he worked for United Technologies designing fuel cell power plants. Tom holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Penn State and a MSME from the University of Connecticut. He is a LEED Accredited Professional and has a professional engineering license in New Jersey.

Ted Borer: Edward “Ted” Borer is the Energy Plant Director for Princeton University and is actively involved in campus energy and carbon emissions reduction efforts and strategic planning. He has 39 years of experience in the power industry, starting in the nuclear industry in the early 1980s. He is a registered professional engineer and holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering as well as the CEM, and LEED-AP certifications. He has held leadership roles in the International District Energy Association and New Jersey Higher Education Partnership for Sustainability. He has provided briefings for members of the US Senate and FERC commissioners. He is a founding member of the Microgrid Resources Coalition. He speaks regularly on energy topics and has published numerous articles in trade magazines and peer-reviewed journals as well as a book chapter on combined heat and power (CHP). Ted is the founder and principal of Borer Energy Engineering, LLC, a consulting firm offering training and operations-based guidance to the energy industry.

Course Outline

• NJCEP LEUP Decarbonization Pilot Program Launch 
• The Climate Change Problem
• Campus Climate Goal
• Campus Scope 1 & 2 CO2 Emissions
• Constraints
• Energy Demands at Princeton
• Combined Heat & Power, “Cogeneration”
• GE LM-1600 Gas Turbine
• Chilled Water & Thermal Storage
• Campus CO2 Emissions Tracking
• Major Areas of Work to Minimize Carbon Footprint
• Combined Heat Removal (CHW) & Addition (HTW)
• TIGER
• Geoexchange Monitoring
• Exam