Siddharth Premkumar
Arup | Senior Mechanical Engineer
Speaker
Track C: Decarbonization and Electrification Strategies
Session C2: Advancing Industrial Energy Innovation
March 12, 2026 | 9:00 am - 9:30 am
Competing for Kilowatts: Energy Strategy in the Era of Data Center Expansion and Climate Acceleration
Following HB2131 legislation that passed in 2024, utilities in WA State were given the green light to own and operate thermal energy networks (TENs) within the state. Publicized largely as a decarbonization strategy, gas utilities were given priority and Commerce grant dollars were directed for TENs pilot projects.
But what is a TEN, and how does it differ from traditional district energy systems? How do you get started, and how much is there in common with existing natural gas utility operations? Why would a gas utility expand into this space, and who pays for the TEN? How did our existing natural gas infrastructure ever get built out in the first place, and what could the next generation of affordable heating and cooling look like? Is it just a pipedream to imagine a cleaner energy solution?
PSE has been working on two pilot projects with several more concepts in the pipeline, and while there are regulatory hurdles to overcome, there is plenty of opportunity to reduce gas usage in both the built environment and in new construction. Come get a peek at what utility-scale decarbonization could look like and the ecosystem around making it happen!
Speaker Bio
Siddharth Premkumar is a Senior Mechanical Engineer at Arup’s Seattle office. With 15 years of experience in the industry, he has developed multidisciplinary engineering design expertise across a diverse array of projects, from cutting-edge healthcare facilities to innovative educational institutions, vibrant commercial spaces, art showrooms, and dynamic retail environments.
Before joining the ranks at Arup, Siddharth honed his skills at an integrated design firm in Seattle, worked as a mechanical subcontractor, and served as a BIM consultant in the Twin Cities. These diverse experiences laid a robust foundation, fueling his relentless pursuit for excellence.
Siddharth has been an active ASHRAE member since 2013. Driven by his passion for giving back to society and the industry, he has served in various roles within the Puget Sound Chapter. He is also an active member of ASHRAE’s Standing Standard Project Committee (SSPC) 170 – Ventilation of Health Care Facilities. Siddharth is eager to continue contributing his knowledge and experience to advance the field of engineering and support the next generation of engineers.