DATE:NAME:CLASS:
BLM 6-5
INFORMATION HANDOUT
/Energy for the District
GoalLearn about new developments in energy economy.Introduction
In your SCIENCEFOCUS 10 textbook, you read about several approaches for using energy more economically. District energy is another approach that is currently being developed in several cities in Canada. District energy, also called district heating and cooling, is a system that can supply hot water (or steam) and cold water to heat or cool a large number of buildings. The illustration below shows how a district energy system functions.
You probably recall reading that electricity can be transported over long distances with little loss of energy, but thermal energy cannot. Basically, this concept is still true. Newer flexible plastic pipes are able to reduce loss of energy while hot water or steam is transported through them. These plastic pipes allow thermal energy (hot water or steam) to be transported as far as 10 to 20 km, without loosing an excessive amount of energy. Therefore, a heating plant can be a significant distance from the building where the heat is used.
The new centralized heat and cooling plants are being designed to use various types of fuel. For example, some plants can use biomass (such as wood waste) as well as natural gas, oil, or coal. The most economic type of fuel that is available at any time can be used. Cogeneration may also be included in the design, allowing plants to provide electrical energy along with heating and cooling.
Centralized plants are often more efficient than having a small boiler room in every building. Energy can be distributed to locations that need it at different times, thus reducing the overall consumption of energy. Individual buildings save space because they do not have to use any space for a power plant. When there is no power plant in a building, the air quality in the building can be maintained more easily.
DATE:NAME:CLASS:
BLM 6-5
INFORMATION HANDOUT
/Energy for the District(contrinued)
Currently, most district heating and cooling facilities are serving large office buildings or factories in downtown areas. For example, district energy is being used in Montréal, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, and Vancouver. A group of industries, government agencies, engineers, bankers, and investors have formed an association called the Canadian District Energy Association (CDEA) to assist cities and communities that are interested in developing new district energy systems.
What to Do
Choose one district energy plant in Canada, and learn more about it. Find answers to the following questions in your research.
- Who did the developing and planning?
- What problems were encountered during the planning process? How were these problems solved?
- What is the source of fuel for the plant?
- What is involved in the design and operation of the plant?
- How many buildings purchase heating and cooling from the plant?
- How does the plant benefit the local community?
Based on your research, do you think more cities and communities should consider developing their own systems for district energy?
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