Building Control Systems and Virtual Power Plants EXPLAINED!

Building Electrification monthly webinar
Thurs, March 19, 2026, 7 PM to 8:15 PM EST

Paul Yarin: Hydronic Heat Pumps: Data, Costs, and Lessons from Closter

How will NJ homes with existing hydronic radiator systems achieve electrification? What should homeowners and clean energy advocates know about air-to-water heat pumps? Do they fulfill their promise to lower energy costs and carbon emissions?

Paul  recently installed the (first in NJ) Weil-McLain "ECO Hybrid" hydronic heat pump and developed a monitoring solution based on the "Home Assistant" platform. Paul will share data on system behavior, operating costs, and carbon savings -- and discuss the challenges that remain ahead for widespread adoption. 

 Paul Yarin is a mechanical engineer, clean energy advocate, and Chair of the Closter, NJ Environmental Commission

Mike Winka: Past/Present/Future of NJ Distributed Energy Resources, Demand Response, and Virtual Power Plants (VPP).

 Mike, retired Director of NJ Clean Energy Program, describes the past/present/future of our NJ electrical grid. Direct control of a home building control system will evolve with MAJOR changes.  Currently, NJ electric utilities centrally manage a relatively few large generating plants which serve millions of NJ residents.  Within 2 years an additional million (potential) small VPP will be managed by an “Aggregator” who pays all VPPs for their energy savings and their energy generation during times of peak grid load.

REGISTER HERE FOR MARCH 19 ZOOM LINK