Urban energy opportunities

Conference · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1979

OSTI ID:5798546

Kron, Jr, N F

Comments on various renewable energy technologies to which urban areas may convert are made. Community- or city-scale use of solar and wind power cannot economically or practically compete with oil presently. Surface water and ground water both contain quantities of heat that can be extracted by using a heat pump or piping systems. The technology for extracting the heat is available for use on a neighborhood or industrial park level. Solid and liquid wastes and biomass hold promise for producing urban energy. One ignored energy source is better utilization of the fuel used for electricity production. The overall fuel efficiency of the plants can be improved if the waste heat is delivered to customers for use in heating and cooling their homes and businesses. The technology for transferring the heat by hot water or steam exists. The author then cites two examples of community scale use of energy systems. An analysis at Soldier's Grove, Wisconsin, revealed that the town could burn waste wood from nearby lumber mills in a central boiler to supply heating, cooling, and domestic hot water. The systems, only using oil for ignition, should pay back in about 2 years. An Argonne study showed that large cities' (Philadelphia) heating loads could be supplied profitably through district heating using power plant waste heat, at a cost of over $2 billion, but at a payback period of less than 9 years (1978 study). Other problems facing urban areas to exploit other energy sources are briefly noted. (MCW)

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 5798546
• Report Number(s): CONF-7905105-2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
291000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Conservation
299003* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Unconventional Sources & Power Generation-- Other-- (-1989)
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320603 -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Municipalities & Community Systems-- Public Utilities-- (1980-)
CENTRAL REGION
COMMUNITIES
COST
DISTRICT HEATING
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENERGY SOURCES
EXPLOITATION
FUEL SUBSTITUTION
GREAT LAKES REGION
GROUND WATER
HEATING
HUMAN POPULATIONS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
LAND USE
NORTH AMERICA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PENNSYLVANIA
POPULATIONS
POWER GENERATION
REGULATIONS
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
RETROFITTING
URBAN AREAS
USA
WASTE HEAT UTILIZATION
WASTE PRODUCT UTILIZATION
WATER
WISCONSIN