The Role of District Energy In Future Energy Systems
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.13052/dgaej2156-3306.1624Abstract
This article provides an overview of district energy systems (DES)
technologies including cogeneration, CHP, Combined Heat and Power,
distribution systems and thermal energy storage. The role of DES as a
catalyst for cogeneration and renewable energy, and as a way to reduce
air pollution, greenhouse gases and ozone-depleting chemicals, is de-
scribed.
The benefits of DES relative to economic growth, energy security
and power grid reliability are explained.
A quantitative analysis is presented which compares DES inte-
grated with CHP to conventional technologies for heating, cooling and
power generation. The article draws substantially from a report pre-
pared by the author for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
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References
Mark Spurr, “District Energy Systems Integrated with Combined
Heat and Power,” International District Energy Association for the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1999.
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cludes a total of CA$335 million (US$235 million) in funding for
three programs that will promote the development of district en-
ergy systems and other green energy technologies. The CA$25
million ($US17.5 million) Green Municipal Enabling Fund will
help communities determine the feasibility of and best approaches
to sustainable energy and environmental practices. The CA$100
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fund will be repaid and then recycled to support new projects.
Both programs will be administered by the Federation of Canadian
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The new budget also continues CA$210 million (US$147 mil-
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three years. This money funds the implementation of technologies,
including district energy, which reduce carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emis-
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energy systems. The first change reduces the corporate tax rate for
district energy systems from 28 percent to 21 percent. Although the
budget proposal specifically addresses district steam systems, it is
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chilled-water systems when detailed provisions are written. The
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This study, which examined over 600 UK cogeneration installa-
tions, concluded that greater market penetration of decentralized
power generation can take place through larger cogeneration in-
stallations serving multiple sites, i.e., district energy systems.
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associated with small distributed generation, which is generally
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