CenterPoint Energy selects CEE to help launch a commercial hybrid heating pilot for NGIA
The passage of the Natural Gas Innovation Act (NGIA) marked a significant step toward Minnesota’s decarbonized future. CenterPoint Energy’s portfolio of pilots and research and development projects under NGIA includes a wide variety of innovative technologies and renewable energy resources to explore system decarbonization.
CenterPoint selected Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) to implement an NGIA pilot on Commercial Hybrid Heating, leveraging CEE’s cold climate expertise and expanding our ability to serve Minnesota’s commercial buildings market. The pilot, which will run through 2029, is part of CenterPoint’s five-year innovation plan approved by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC), which invests in alternatives to conventional natural gas that could show promise in decarbonization efforts for the company’s Minnesota customers.
Project overview
The pilot project will identify commercial customers interested in replacing their HVAC system with a hybrid heating system, typically a dual fuel rooftop unit, but other systems such as air-to-air or air-to-water specialized heat pump applications could be supported. Heat pumps are commonly used globally but have yet to be widely adopted for commercial use in the U.S. within cold weather climates. This project aims to gauge the efficacy of hybrid heating systems — electric heat pumps supplemented by natural gas — for commercial applications among CenterPoint’s Minnesota customers.
CEE has been tasked with conducting measurement and verification (M&V) activities for the commercial hybrid heating systems installed in this pilot. In addition to the potential system benefits of up to 20% reduced energy consumption, consistent performance, avoiding peak demand charges associated with electric heat, and seamless integration with existing systems, CenterPoint is offering rebates covering up to 40% of material and equipment costs. The pilot will consider a wide range of commercial building types, including education, healthcare, municipal, office, restaurant, and retail.
Goals of the Commercial Hybrid Heating Pilot
- 135 hybrid heating systems installed
- 60% of units monitored for performance evaluation
- 25,000 tonnes CO2e net lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions reduction
- 400,950 Dth lifetime savings (based on a 15-year lifetime)
Anyone interested in having their site evaluated for pilot eligibility should contact Casey Hilbelink to schedule a consultation or visit CenterPointEnergy.com/HybridHeating to complete an interest form.