District heating and cooling: Renewed interest in old concept

Journal Article · Sun Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · Power; (United States)

OSTI ID:6256731

Elliott, T

District heating and cooling (DHC) systems are thermal energy networks that distribute hot water, chilled water, or steam through insulated pipes to serve commercial, residential, institutional, and industrial energy needs for space heating, space cooling, and industrial purposes. DHC systems permit energy, as distinguished from fuel, to be bought and sold as a commodity. This article points out that DHC does seem to be making a comeback in municipal or ''downtown'' applications. The comeback has been given impetus by the general resurgence of urban areas in recent years, many of them neglected since World War II, a neglect compounded by the flight of industry, capital, and people from cities to suburbs. Now municipal governments across the nation are working to check this urban decay and rejuvenate their inner cities and towns. In the process, they are discovering that DHC systems can be a powerful adjunct to their rebuilding programs, helping stimulate economic development, providing job opportunities, and establishing stable, affordable energy supplies.

• OSTI ID: 6256731
• Journal Information: Power; (United States), Journal Name: Power; (United States) Vol. 131:2; ISSN POWEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290200 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Economics & Sociology
290800* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Heat Utilization-- (1980-)
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320603 -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Municipalities & Community Systems-- Public Utilities-- (1980-)
COOLING
DISTRICT COOLING
DISTRICT HEATING
ECONOMICS
EMPLOYMENT
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
HEATING
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
PIPES
URBAN AREAS