TECO Continues Operations Through Hurricane Harvey
Hurricane Harvey hit Houston hard with record-setting rains. Thermal Energy Corporation (TECO) has maintained uninterrupted chilled-water and steam service throughout this historic event, following detailed emergency preparedness plans.
Thank You, Interns!
Another summer is drawing to a close and once again TECO is saying a heartfelt thank-you and a bittersweet good-bye to our summer interns. Check out TECO’s great 2017 group, their assigned departments and their plans for the future.
Twenty-Six-Year TECO Employee Retires
In July 2017, TECO provided a warm retirement sendoff to Pat Brown, a senior millwright mechanic, who had been with the company since 1991. He started with TECO as a mechanic III, with his skills and abilities quickly earning him a promotion.
TMC Pulse Features the Story of TECO
TMC Pulse, the monthly publication of the Texas Medical Center, features TECO in its June 2017 edition: "Behind a brown brick façade decorated with black and white double helixes—an homage to the district it serves..." lies Thermal Energy Corp.
New DeBakey High School One of TECO’s Latest Customers
June 1 marked the grand opening of the new Michael E. DeBakey High School for Health Professions on the Texas Medical Center campus. Thermal Energy Corp. (TECO) began chilled-water service to the building in 2016 while it was under construction.
TECO Employees Cheer on Houston Astros
More than 100 TECO employees and their families rooted for the home team during their annual outing to the Houston Astros baseball game May 20, 2017. Everyone had a great time and is looking forward to next year.
New Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences Opens
Officials cut the ribbon on the new $75 million Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences (HCIFS) on the Texas Medical Center campus in March 2017. TECO provides the new 210,000-sq-ft tower on Old Spanish Trail with chilled water and steam.
TECO’s Steve Swinson Judges Prestigious National Engineering Competition
In February, Thermal Energy Corp.’s President and CEO Steve Swinson, PE, was part of a nationwide panel that judged exemplary engineering achievements in the American Council of Engineering Companies’ annual Engineering Excellence Awards competition.
TECO Tunnels Help Serve Campus on the Rise
More and more buildings are rising on the Texas Medical Center campus, with a number of TECO customers adding new facilities and connecting to our chilled-water and steam system. TECO is tunneling to reach the buildings with the least disruption.
TECO Employees Honored at 1920s-Themed Banquet
Everyone who saw TECO employees filing into the Majestic Metro Event Center February 18, 2017, probably felt as if they had traveled back to the 1920s! Many TECO employees dressed the part to enjoy the company’s themed annual employee awards banquet.
Leadership AGC Visits TECO
Thermal Energy Corporation (TECO) opened its doors in February 2017 to host Leadership AGC, a group of local up-and-coming construction industry leaders. Nearly 25 members and group leaders toured TECO’s plant and met to discuss Texas Medical Center.
TECO’s “Go Texas” BBQ Celebrates Rodeo
It’s time for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo – and TECO kicked off the season in grand style with our annual “Go Texan” BBQ for employees. TECO’s BBQ and the rodeo celebrate what makes Texas Texas!
TECO Data Can Help Optimize Building Energy Use
District energy systems such as TECO's are uniquely well-positioned to help their customers manage their building energy use, per a recent article titled “How district energy improves building performance” in District Energy magazine.
Gaining on Good Health
The pounds started dropping in April 2106 when a group of TECO employees stepped up to the Texas Medical Center’s TMC O2 Challenge. Now the TECO group has ramped up its commitment and even adopted a new name.
Helping Make the Season Bright
TECO helped brighten the spirits of children and teens at Texas Children's Hospital in December 2016 by delivering 114 toys and gifts donated by TECO employees. It was TECO’s second annual drive.
A Room Fit for Fitness
By 6 a.m. three days a week, TECO’s Karen Thomas hops on the company’s new treadmill, walking her way to good health. She’s just one of many TECO employees who take advantage of a great company perk: an updated, onsite 24/7 Health and Fitness Center.
TECO's Commitment to Maintenance Featured in Magazine
Thermal Energy Corporation (TECO) operates and maintains the district energy system that cools and heats the Texas Medical Center campus. Our system maintenance program was featured in District Energy magazine, fourth quarter 2016.
Remembering Paul G. Bell, Jr., a TECO Proponent and Visionary
Paul Gervais Bell, Jr. played a pivotal role in the history – even the very existence – of TECO. In late 2013, Bell stepped down as chairman of TECO’s Board of Directors after 14 years at the helm. He passed away October 31, 2016.
Sustainable Business Magazine Features TECO
Sustainable Business Magazine featured Thermal Energy Corporation's (TECO's) CHP-based district energy system in its August 2016 issue, highlighting how it provides reliable, cost-effective energy to the world's largest medical center.
Operator Training: TECO Shares Best Practices
Training has always been important at Thermal Energy Corp., but never more than when we added 700 pieces of equipment during expansion. We set up an Operator Certification and Training Program, sharing our experience in District Energy magazine.
Telling Our Story in District Energy Magazine
The International District Energy Association's District Energy magazine runs a quarterly feature called "Telling Our Story", where it features member district energy systems and how they've communicated their stories to their communities.
DREME STEM Academy, GE Leadership Institute Students Visit TECO
On July 11, TECO hosted 28 DREME STEM (Science-Technology-Engineering-Mathematics) Youth Academy students on a plant tour and presentation in coordination with the GE Leadership Institute. DREME founder Cheryl McNair served as a group leader.
Thermal Energy Corp. Joins Combined Heat and Power for Resiliency Accelerator
Organizations in DOE’s Better Buildings Challenge saved $1.3 billion in five years by reducing energy use, thanks in part to Better Buildings Accelerators. Houston-based TECO is a new Better Buildings CHP for Resiliency Accelerator partner.
TECO Honors Employees' Years of Service
At a "Houston Hawaiian luau" in January 2016, TECO celebrated 11 employees who marked service milestones in 2015. The annual event is a time for employees and their families to enjoy dinner and dancing together while honoring their colleagues.
Photo Display Puts TECO in Focus
What happens when TECO engineers tackle interior decorating? You get a creative approach to displaying company photos that capture its very essence. TECO decided to use rings cut from leftover chilled-water piping as picture frames.
Houston-Based TECO Wins U.S. EPA’s ENERGY STAR CHP Award
Thermal Energy Corp. (TECO), a Texas Medical Center institution, received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 2015 ENERGY STAR CHP Award June 29, 2015, at the International District Energy Association’s annual conference in Boston.
TECO Honors Paul G. Bell, Jr. by Renaming Central Plant
TECO's Board of Directors renamed the company's Central Plant the Paul G. Bell, Jr. Energy Plant to honor his 40 years of service. Located at 1615 Braeswood Blvd., the plant is the heart of the company's district energy and CHP system.