District Heating & Cooling

4th Quarter 1993 | Volume 79 Number 2

On the Cover

Located in the heart of Washington, D.C., the White House is served by the General Services Administration's district energy system.

The General Services Administration: Serving the Capital, Serving the Nation (p16)

Few people visit Washington, D.C., for business or pleasure without setting foot in a building heated by the General Services Administration's (GSA) district energy system. In fact, 49 million square feet of space in Washington, D.C., is heated and/or cooled by GSA's district heating and cooling system.

"Washington, DHC": District Heating and Cooling at Work (p6)

This issue of the magazine has been prepared as a tool to raise the level of awareness about DHC among national energy and environmental policymakers. The extensive use of DHC in so many highly visible and important buildings in the Washington, D.C., area is a reminder of the confi dence that can be placed in this energy technology.

Washington, D.C., and Its Surrounding Areas: A Plethora of DHC Systems (p9)

In 1985 a study was done to establish the number of district heating and cooling systems that exist in the Washington, D.C., and surrounding areas. The result was a list of 160 institutional systems ranging from military installations to college campuses to residential complexes to downtown areas.

Capitol Heating and Cooling Plant: The Energy Behind the Powers That Be (p13)

If you look around, you'll see few smokestacks or cooling towers on Capitol Hill. That's because the U.S. Capitol and numerous other buildings are heated and cooled by the Capitol district heating and cooling system which was first established 90 years ago. But the years have been kind and the system is a mainstay in the capital city.

New Plant at The Pentagon: Securing a Reliable Future (p25)

The Pentagon Utilities Plant, along with The Pentagon itself, is undergoing its first major renovation since its construction during World War II. The need for undeniably reliable heating and cooling service for our nation's security played a role in the decision to proceed with this major project.

Howard University: Preparing for the Year 2000 (p30)

The 60-year-old district heating system at Howard University is about to undergo its first major upgrade in 25 years. The system serves 60-plus buildings totaling more than 4 million square feet of space, including a major 500-bed teaching hospital.

Georgetown University: Progressive System Wants to Power Up for Future (p37)

With a fluidized-bed boiler and a 2.2 million gallon thermal storage tank, Georgetown University already is at the forefront of energy technology. But its plans to expand and modernize its DHC plant with cogeneration facilities recently ran into major roadblocks, and the plans are being revisited.

National Institutes of Health: District Heating and Cooling Supports National Healthcare Mission (p41)

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has a national healthcare mission, one that cannot be jeopardized by questionable heating or cooling service. NIH's district heating and cooling system has stepped up to this challenge, and is poised for major growth over the next 20 years.

Progress Report Issued on National Action Plan (p44)

Significant progress has been made on the goals of the 1991 National Action Plan for District Heating, Cooling and Cogeneration (DHC/C), according to a progress report issued in July 1993. Actions already taken include a 1992 National Census for DHC/C that shows district energy systems are a much greater part of the energy scene than previously indicated.