Jocelyn Lai, Co-founder and CEO of Bedrock Energy, discusses her innovative geothermal energy solutions for large buildings. She explains how Bedrock’s methods stand out from traditional geothermal techniques and how they tap into the existing HVAC market. Jocelyn shares insights on integrating geothermal systems in commercial spaces and the proprietary technology behind their deep drilling. The conversation also touches on client engagement strategies and the increasing market demand for sustainable solutions, showcasing Bedrock's vision for a greener future.
Bedrock Energy's geothermal approach for heating and cooling combines deeper drilling techniques to serve large commercial buildings while ensuring cost-effectiveness and reduced grid reliance.
The company emphasizes both retrofitting existing HVAC systems and new construction to enhance energy efficiency, targeting the growing demand for sustainable and scalable geothermal solutions.
Deep dives
Innovative Geothermal Solutions
Bedrock Energy focuses on utilizing geothermal energy for heating and cooling systems by developing cost-effective and space-efficient geothermal heat exchange systems. Their approach differs from traditional geothermal methods by drilling deeper than typical residential geothermal but not as deep as utility-scale systems, allowing them to serve larger commercial and industrial projects. This direct utilization of thermal energy minimizes risks associated with exploration and eliminates the need for costly electrical interconnection to the grid. As they optimize their technology, they aim to provide scalable geothermal solutions that can significantly reduce reliance on conventional HVAC systems.
Addressing HVAC Limitations
Bedrock identifies challenges with current HVAC systems, particularly in terms of their high electricity demand during peak usage, which can strain the grid. As heat pumps become more prevalent for heating and cooling, the demand for electricity increases, leading to potentially higher costs for consumers and instability in the energy grid. The company emphasizes that while heat pumps are advantageous for reducing harmful emissions, their reliance on electricity can exacerbate existing grid challenges. By integrating geothermal solutions, Bedrock offers a way to alleviate pressure on the grid while providing businesses with a more consistent and economical energy source.
Geothermal for a Range of Applications
Bedrock Energy caters to both retrofitting existing HVAC systems and new construction projects, offering flexibility based on customer needs. In many cases, large commercial real estate owners seek to retrofit their buildings to enhance energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact. This retrofitting involves replacing outdated systems with their geothermal solutions, which can be strategically installed in areas like parking lots or courtyards without disrupting existing infrastructure. Bedrock's technology enables them to install fewer, deeper geothermal loops, thereby maximizing efficiency and minimizing the physical footprint of the heating and cooling systems.
Market Demand and Future Prospects
As Bedrock continues to commercialize its geothermal technology, the increasing interest in renewable energy solutions and net-zero commitments from businesses provides fertile ground for growth. The company has already begun deploying projects, notably a retrofit project for CIM Group that showcased their ability to significantly cut the space required for geothermal systems. Their ability to integrate innovative drilling technology while providing substantial cost savings positions them well in the geothermal market. With a keen focus on automation and labor optimization, Bedrock aims to scale efficiently and meet the growing demand for sustainable heating and cooling solutions.
Joselyn Lai is the Co-founder and CEO at Bedrock Energy. Bedrock uses geothermal energy to transform the heating and cooling of buildings.
We've covered geothermal on the show a few times, but Bedrock brings a unique approach. On one end of the spectrum, we've explored large utility-scale geothermal projects, which aim to drill deep to tap into underground steam vents for turbine-powered electricity generation. On the other end, we've featured companies that drill relatively shallow wells to create underground loops, providing ground-source insulation for residential heat pumps. Bedrock falls closer to this second category but goes deeper than most residential projects, using these techniques to power heat pumps for large commercial and industrial buildings.
We were interested to hear from Joselyn about the technology she's developed to pursue this opportunity, what market demand looks like, and how her solution compares against the HVAC status quo and commercial-scale air-source heat pumps.
In this episode, we cover:
[2:24] Overview of Bedrock Energy and its geothermal approach
[4:03] How Bedrock’s methods differ from other geothermal generation techniques
[5:15] Joselyn's journey to founding Bedrock Energy
[8:14] Focusing on the existing HVAC market
[13:18] Integration of geothermal systems into commercial buildings
[16:57] Overview of Bedrock's underground geothermal technology
[22:18] On-site footprint of Bedrock’s geothermal solutions
[29:32] Proprietary software and drilling innovations for efficient deployments
[31:29] Understanding Bedrock’s early customer base
[34:26] Challenges related to geology and labor shortages
[38:58] Collaborating with utilities for enhanced grid benefits
[43:57] Bedrock Energy’s progress and milestones so far