An innovative thermal energy storage system in use at a New York state university campus is an example of the long-term energy vision for the college, and a blueprint for other institutions.

Commercial and industrial enterprises increasingly find the need to make their energy systems more efficient and resilient. It’s a particular problem for sites with aging infrastructure, such as a college campus. Modernizing energy equipment can optimize energy use, and help avoid disruptions to campus activities while also supporting sustainability.

With that in mind, the New York Power Authority collaborated with Brenmiller Energy to connect a bGen ZERO thermal energy storage (TES) unit to a combined heat and power (CHP) system at the State University of New York (SUNY) Purchase campus. The new system meets nearly 100% of the campus’ Physical Education building’s heating needs, and about 50% of its electricity, while also significantly enhancing energy efficiency and driving a reduction in carbon emissions.

The campus gymnasium previously relied on an older, inefficient district heating loop connected to a central plant. The age of the system resulted in significant losses in energy, and increased operational costs for essential functions like space and pool heating. Officials with SUNY-Purchase said the Physical Education building was ideal for the project, as the location also has been used as a shelter during major storms.

“The project addresses a common challenge for institutional facilities—aging centralized heating systems that are expensive and inefficient to maintain,” said Doron Brenmiller, co-founder and chief business officer for Israel-headquartered Brenmiller Energy. “By replacing the outdated district heating loop with a decentralized, flexible thermal energy storage system, SUNY is able to modernize its infrastructure in a cost-effective and sustainable way. Also, by charging the TES unit during low-demand periods [typically at night] and discharging stored heat during peak times, the system avoids purchasing expensive grid electricity when rates are highest. This lowers operational costs and eases stress on the grid, which is especially valuable in New York’s dense energy markets.”

The Brenmiller bGen ZERO technology in 2023 was named by TIME magazine as one of that year’s 200 best inventions. It also this year received a Gold, or first place, designation in the Energy Storage and Management category from the Edison Awards. Now, the technology, as part of the SUNY-Purchase project, is being honored with POWER’s 2025 Commercial & Industrial Generation Award.

For more information about the project and Brenmiller Energy’s latest updates, please visit www.bren-energy.com or contact Tori Bentkover at brenmillerenergy@antennagroup.com.

About Rock Energy Storage

Rock Energy Storage is an LLC, founded in 2024 and incorporated in the state of New York. Rock’s corporate HQ is in the Bronx, NY. Rock is an organic green shoot company created to specifically serve and develop the Thermal Energy Storage (TES), decarbonization and electrification markets in North America. Rock has the licensing rights to sell, assemble and service the Brenmiller thermal energy storage systems domestically. Using their patented bGen system, the Brenmiller TES system is the industry-leading product in the emerging TES marketplace.

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