LaBella Joining Panel Discussions at the NY-GEO 2026 Conference and Trade Show in Brooklyn, NY
Members of LaBella’s Energy team will be participating in panel discussions at the NY-GEO 2026 Conference and Trade Show, hosted by the New York Geothermal Energy Organization on March 23–25, 2026, in Brooklyn, New York.
On Tuesday, March 24, at 2:45 p.m., LaBella’s Energy Discipline Leader Mike Barbasch, PE, CEM, will participate in the panel discussion “Finding Balance Hybrid Thermal Energy Network Systems.” Closed-loop geothermal borefields have long been the primary thermal resource for many thermal energy network (TEN) projects. However, industry experience has revealed a mix of other thermal sources and sinks that can contribute to long-term thermal balance. Panelists will share their design and operational experience using a hybrid approach that combines thermal resources to reduce upfront costs and improve long-term performance. In addition to Mike, panelists include Joe DiSanto (Ramboll), Samuel Berber (CDM Smith), and Adam Shelly (Ecosystem), with Diego Sanchez (CHA Consulting) serving as moderator.
Also at 2:45 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24, Austin Crosby, CEM, Energy Engineer and Project Manager at LaBella, will moderate the panel discussion “High-Temp Heat Pumps for Space and DHW Applications.” A key barrier to broader building electrification is the relatively low water temperature delivered by most electric heat pump systems. Panelists Ian Motley (Olion/MPN), Chris Ebener (Nyle Water Heating Systems), Gannon Dubay (Trane), and Geoff Cullen (G.A. Fleet Associates) will challenge that limitation by highlighting electric heat pumps capable of achieving supply temperatures traditionally associated with fossil fuel boilers. These systems allow space and water heating distribution infrastructure to remain in place with little or no modification, reducing building conversion costs.