Bucking challenging economic times and conference attendance trends, the International District Energy Association set an attendance record of more than 700 people from 15 countries at its 100th Annual Conference & Trade Show "District Energy/CHP 2009: Local Energy, Global Solution." The conference featured top-notch sessions, including June 30's luncheon featuring U.S. Commerce Secretary Locke presenting an export award to IDEA-member Evapco.

He cited district energy technology as a key method of optimizing U.S. energy efficiency.

Full video of Secretary Locke's district energy remarks:

YouTube excerpted clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74dLaD_3KvI

Barbaroux reports that Paris-based Veolia Energy-Dalkia has 52,800 employees in 41 countries and operates 800 urban and local heating and cooling systems. The company has combined managed revenue of $11.9 billion (8.6 billion euro). In 2008, Dalkia prevented the discharge of 5.6 million tonnes of CO2, a reduction of 20 percent more than 2007.

Listen to his presentation here:
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Casten has spent 30 years developing and operating combined heat and power plants as a way to lower carbon dioxide emissions and save money. Casten has co-authored "Getting the Most from Energy" with Phil Schew, where they conclude "we can't afford to send the large majority of our energy unused, into the sky."

Listen to his presentation here:
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During the conference IDEA premiered a new industry video. Below are downloads for use and distribution. It is also available on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3ef6dz8BGg

Secretary Chu Announces $256 Million Investment to Improve the Energy Efficiency of the American Economy. This includes ARRA funding for district energy, combined heat & power and waste energy recovery. Click here for more information.

UK Study - Why Waste Heat?

This explores the potential for developing district heating schemes to utilize surplus heat from power stations. Click here for more information.

Baltimore Skyscrapers Sign on for Veolia Energy Plan

Veolia Energy North America has entered into an energy provision contract with the developer of the new Four Seasons Hotel and Legg Mason Tower in Baltimore, Md. Please Click here for full article.

Cogeneration at Cornell
A New gas-fired plant will help reduce CO2 emissions by 30% below 1990 levels, despite an increse in the University's square footage.  Click here for full article.

The role of IDEA in promoting the district heating and cooling industry across the world, including the Middle East, cannot be over-estimated.

Please click here for full article by Mike Thompson, Environmental Director, TRANE, U.S.