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District Energy Systems Offer Fuel
Flexibility and High Reliability
District energy systems provide heating and
cooling services to multiple buildings via an
underground piping network from central plants
which are highly reliable, efficient, fuel-flexible
and able to use environmentally responsible
energy sources, such as combined heat and
power (CHP) systems, industrial waste heat and
renewable energy sources such as biomass and
geothermal. Some 5,800 district energy systems
are in use today in the US and are typically
located in the central business districts of larger
cities, on college and university campuses, and
at military bases and airports.
Energy Efficiency Reduces Reliance on
Foreign Sources of Energy
Due to their larger scale in serving dozens or even
hundreds of connected buildings, district energy
systems are able to employ industrial grade
technologies that recapture and recycle waste heat for
more productive uses. Combined heat and power
(CHP) and recycling energy generate higher fuel
efficiency; reduce emissions, and utilize valuable
thermal energy that would otherwise be wasted to
lakes, rivers, oceans or the atmosphere. Additionally,
by locating electricity generation near large customer
loads, power grid reliability and energy security is
improved.
District cooling systems provide chilled water service to customer buildings for air conditioning. This
allows the customer to have a flatter load profile year round and to substantially reduce peak power
demand from onsite equipment like chillers and cooling tower pumps and fans. Cutting demand for
expensive peak power during high summer load condition reduces strain on the local power grid and
improves system reliability and load factor for the local electricity provider. District cooling systems are
also able to provide cooling via thermal storage, heat-based chilling or renewable cooling sources like
lakes, oceans or rivers that would otherwise not be feasible on an individual building basis.
About the International District
Energy Association
The International District Energy
Association (IDEA) was founded in June
1909 as the National District Heating
Association. Today, IDEA is a non-profit
association based in the Boston, MA area
with over 1200 dues-paying members in 38
U.S. states and 25 different countries. As
an industry clearinghouse for business,
technical and policy issues, IDEA supports
the district energy industry with technical
training, peer exchange and consumer
education and outreach. IDEA also
promotes the benefits of district energy
systems while advocating for policies and
legislation favorable to the industry, its
customers and stakeholders. For nearly
100 consecutive years, IDEA has held an
annual conference and trade show, which
typically attracts over 500 attendees from
around the globe.
Robert P. Thornton, President
International District Energy Association
24 Lyman Street, Suite 230
Westborough, MA 01581
[email protected]
www.districtenergy.org
508-366-9339 phone
508-366-0019 fax