Decarb Higher Ed NY

Higher Education Decarbonization Summit October 7, 2026 Accelerating decarbonization across campuses with sustainability leaders, facilities executives, energy managers, capital planners, utilities, and technology innovators. 5:00 – 5:30 PM Registration & Networking Connect with higher education leaders, sustainability professionals, engineers, utilities, and clean technology providers. 5:30 – 5:40 PM Welcome & Opening Remarks The Future of High-Performance, Sustainable Campuses Opening remarks on the critical role of design, innovation, and collaboration in helping universities achieve ambitious decarbonization goals. Leonard Lopate, Leader and Technical Architect, SOM LinkedIn 5:40 – 6:10 PM Opening Panel: Leading the Energy Transition — Best Practices for Decarbonizing Campuses University leaders discuss campus-wide decarbonization strategies, capital planning, electrification, energy management, deferred maintenance, and the challenges and opportunities shaping the next generation of sustainable campuses. Moderator: Scott Donachie, CEO, Decarb Summits Daniel Switzer, Director of Campus Facilities, Wagner College LinkedIn Tony Gelber, Director of Administrative Sustainability, Pratt Institute LinkedIn Ryan McEnany, Director of Energy & Resiliency, Pace University LinkedIn Tria Case, Executive Director in the Office of Sustainability and Energy Conservation, CUNY LinkedIn 6:10 – 6:40 PM Building the Business Case for Campus Decarbonization Trane Presentation How universities can accelerate decarbonization through strategic planning, energy efficiency, electrification, and advanced building solutions. This session will explore the financial case for campus transformation, including energy savings, lifecycle cost analysis, infrastructure modernization, incentives, and pathways to achieving long-term sustainability goals. Grant Salmon, Comprehensive Solutions AE, Trane Technologies 6:40 – 7:00 PM Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV): Transforming Campus Buildings into Energy Assets How next-generation building-integrated solar technologies are enabling universities to generate clean energy, reduce emissions, and integrate renewable power directly into campus infrastructure. Cory Fry, Sales Director, Mitrex LinkedIn 7:00 – 7:20 PM “CampusCoach". A Practical, Effective Approach to Ongoing Energy Management”. Paul Reale, Director, Building Operations Research and Training, CUNY Building Performance Lab Linkedin 7:20 – 7:40 PM Open Speaking Slot Speaker TBD 7:40 – 8:30 PM Open Discussion & Networking Continue the conversation with university leaders, facilities executives, architects, engineers, utilities, and clean technology providers. This interactive session provides an opportunity to discuss campus decarbonization challenges, exchange best practices, explore new technologies, and build strategic partnerships that accelerate the transition to high-performance, low-carbon campuses. Why Attend? ✓ Learn directly from universities leading campus decarbonization efforts. ✓ Explore geothermal, thermal energy networks, BIPV, microgrids, battery storage, electrification, and smart campus technologies. ✓ Understand how AI, digital twins, and advanced building systems are transforming campus operations. ✓ Discover funding strategies, incentives, and financing approaches for higher education decarbonization projects. ✓ Connect with decision-makers responsible for campus energy, facilities, sustainability, and capital planning.