The challenges brought by rising demand for power during the height of Texas’ relentless summer heat generated a conversation – and then an idea – between Thermal Energy Corporation and Optimum Energy.
We are pleased to announce the promotion of Mycah Jewell, PE, to vice president of engineering and maintenance. Jewell has been with TECO since 2016, most recently in the role of maintenance manager. More>>
Thermal Energy Corporation’s new president and CEO is no stranger to TECO or the district energy industry. He is Michael P. Manoucheri, PE, previously TECO’s vice president of engineering and maintenance, named to his new position Feb. 22. More>>
1981. NASA launched its first Space Shuttle mission. Lady Diana married Prince Charles. And Ram Goonie started work at TECO. He is now celebrating his 40th anniversary with Thermal Energy Corporation at the Texas Medical Center. More>>
TECO employees are focused on safety, and their efforts are paying off. TECO recently celebrated one year without an OSHA-recordable or lost-time accident. To mark the accomplishment, TECO presented a brand-new YETI cooler to each employee. More>>
At Thermal Energy Corporation (TECO), we believe that investing in district energy infrastructure can strengthen communities and campuses around the world. It has worked at the Texas Medical Center, which we have served since 1969. More>>
Howard Tellepsen, Jr., a TECO board member, was named the Houston Business Journal’s Landmark Awards 2021 Lifetime Achievement Honoree. He is currently chairman of Tellepsen, a fourth-generation family business based in Houston. More>>
TECO’s President and CEO Steve Swinson has just been elected to the State of Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame, Class of 2022! Congratulations, Steve. Steve was recognized for his lifetime achievements, including service at TECO since 2005. More>>
TECO’s Vice President of Plant Operations Jason Berrio, PE, has been named an Outstanding Executive Master of Business Administration Student by the University of Houston’s Bauer College of Business. More>>
Thermal Energy Corporation and Tellepsen Industrial navigated tight quarters, COVID-19 and a fixed timeline to replace a 50-year-old steam line in TECO’s district energy system in a project completed last fall. More>>
Texas Medical Center streets were icy and empty as the record-setting winter storm hit in mid-February 2021. Yet TECO's steam and chilled water service continued uninterrupted. We also fed electricity to the grid and helped supply water. More>>
In years past, Thermal Energy Corporation treated employees to a Christmas lunch on site, where all gathered to enjoy the food as well as the camaraderie. As we all know, this year is a “bit different," so TECO made a bit of a change. More>>
Every Christmas since 2014, Thermal Energy Corporation employees have donated toys and gifts to children and teens who are hospitalized at the Texas Medical Center over the holidays. More>>
Thermal Energy Corporation (TECO) has rebated its customers for their April 2020 chilled-water and steam service charges – a total of $6.2 million. More>>
Nearly 130 TECO employees and their families enjoyed a “dinner cruise” on the “high seas” at TECO’s 2019 Annual Awards Banquet in January. We honored 22 employees with service milestones and two safety program winners - and had a great time. More>>
Thermal Energy Corporation’s internship program continues to produce future impact players for the organization, following in Austin Kelly’s footsteps. More>>
Standing 5 ft tall and weighing in at 400 pounds, Thermal Energy Corporation’s first-ever time capsule might be one for the record books. In late 2019, TECO employees filled and sealed the capsule, to be opened in 2044. More>>
History has come to life at TECO as we wrap up the 50th anniversary of our district energy system. TECO has installed a timeline wall that reflects how the idea for the system took root and grew into the award-winning system it is today. More>>
For the fifth year in a row, TECO is helping to brighten the spirits of children and teens on the Texas Medical Center campus during the holidays. TECO volunteers collected and delivered 142 employee-donated gifts to MD Anderson Cancer Center. More>>
The International District Energy Association featured TECO in a Dec. 4, 2019, webinar showcasing TECO’s award-winning System of the Year entry. Check out the webinar online. More>>
Before joining TECO last March, Carolyn Luomala traveled the world on business, even living in Scotland during a merger. Now she’s TECO’s vice president of finance. More>>
While the reasons to donate blood are many, the most important can’t be beat: Your blood can help save lives. TECO has held an annual blood drive for the past 12 years. This year 14 employees participated, donating 17 pints of blood. More>>
The Houston Astros are in the World Series, and TECO employees are all in to support their team. TECO had a daily Astros t-shirt giveaway during the Series, with all employees eligible to win. We look forward to seeing that Series trophy! More>>
On September 18 TECO fired up the coals and grilled nearly 108 pounds of steaks as a thank-you to employees for another safe and reliable year. TECO’s President and CEO Steve Swinson and Sean Price and Vincent Gonzalez manned the grills. More>>
U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry today visited Thermal Energy Corporation (TECO) to see first-hand the energy system that cools and heats buildings on the world’s largest medical complex – the Texas Medical Center. More>>
The International District Energy Association named Thermal Energy Corporation its district energy system of the year for 2019 at ceremonies June 26 in Pittsburgh. The annual award is the highest honor IDEA can confer on a system. More>>
TECO received two gold awards – the highest-possible level – in the International District Energy Association’s 2018 District Energy Space competition. The awards were presented during IDEA’s 2019 annual conference in Pittsburgh June 26. More>>
TECO's Steve Swinson presented the 2019 John Gray Scholarship Award to James Manning, student at Carnegie Mellon, at the International District Energy Association June conference in Pittsburgh. Manning inspired the audience with his vision. More>>
TECO recently honored the military veterans who have courageously served the U.S. and Thermal Energy Corporation. The ceremony included remarks from veteran and TECO board alternate Wes Stewart and the unveiling of a plaque. More>>
In its 2018 annual report, TECO focused on its leadership and customers who are leading the way in their fields. It also marked the 40th anniversary of TECO, which acquired its district energy system from Houston Natural Gas in 1978. More>>
Anyone who was in Houston when Hurricane Harvey hit in August 2017 has a story. Thermal Energy Corporation shares its Harvey experience in “A story of preparedness and resolve” in the spring/summer 2019 issue of District Energy magazine. More>>
TECO started 2019 off strong. On Jan. 27, 2019, TECO set a new safety record: It marked four years – 718,116 hours – worked without a lost-time incident. This significant achievement is a testament to TECO's dedicated employees! More>>
TECO and its employees are huge fans of the Houston Astros, making an annual trek together to MinuteMaid Park to root for their favorite team. This year they attended the June 8 game and several got autographs from superstars like Jose Altuve. More>>
TECO treated employees and their families and friends to a Houston Dynamo game May 18, TECO’s first-ever visit to BBVA Compass Stadium. Eighty-seven employees and guests enjoyed the game, the VIP club, catered food and complimentary parking. More>>
Thermal Energy Corporation received an Excellence Award from the Turbine Inlet Cooling Association (TICA) for TECO's use of turbine inlet cooling, a technology that enhances power generation capacity. The award was presented March 20, 2018. More>>
TECO has hired Michael Manoucheri, PE, as vice president of engineering and maintenance, and Melissa Ripple as training manager. It also promoted Mycah Jewell and Austin Kelly. More>>
On May 30, 1978 – before any of our world-champion Houston Astros were born – TECO became the proud owner of the chilled-water and steam system serving buildings on the Texas Medical Center (TMC) campus. Now – in 2018 – TECO is turning 40! More>>
TECO’s employees recently celebrated a major safety milestone: one year without a recordable or lost-time accident. TECO marked the accomplishment by presenting each employee with a Yeti cooler. We take safety seriously! More>>
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. More>>
June 1, 2017, marked the grand opening of Michael E. DeBakey High School for Health Professions on the Texas Medical Center campus. Thermal Energy Corp. began chilled-water service to the building in 2016 while it was under construction. More>>
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. More>>
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. More>>
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. More>>
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. More>>
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. More>>
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. More>>
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. More>>