District Energy

1st Quarter 1995 | Volume 80 Number 3

On the Cover

Mid-America Energy Resources' district cooling plant, shown lower left near coal stockpile, and Indianapolis Power & Light's Perry K Plant which produces steam district heating, shown center photo, serve the nearby RCA Dome and downtown Indianapolis buildings.

Indianapolis: 1995 IDEA Conference Host (p18)

From June 3 through 6, 1995, Indianapolis will host the 86th Annual International District Energy Association Conference and Tradeshow at the Westin Hotel and Indiana Convention Center. Home to both the second largest district heating system in North America and one of the newest district cooling systems in the United States, the city is a perfect venue for technical tours and information exchange. Early-bird registration deadline is April 28, so don't delay.

Analyzing Financing Options for Energy-Efficient Retrofits (p5)

Alden Hathaway and Clare Bonifant - Reprinted with permission from the Sept. 1994 issue of Building Operating Management.

Under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Green Lights and Energy Star Buildings programs, organizations are asked to voluntarily retrofit their facilities with the most energy-efficient equipment available. Yet the most common question is, "How will we pay for the work?" The authors present their Top 10 list of financial roadblocks and provide creative financing solutions.

Hydronic Systems Benefit From Pressure-Independent Flow Control Valves (p12)

Paul Skoglund, P.E., President, Flow Control Industries, Inc.

Pressure-independent variable-air-volume systems are the standard of air distribution for heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems. Yet it wasn't until recently that pressure-independent modulating-flow technology became available, solving many operating problems and improving hydronic system performance.

The Emerging Market for Retail Energy Services: A Strategic Opportunity for District Energy Companies (p26)

Jonathan Gottlieb, Esq., Reid & Priest, Washington, D.C.

Deregulation Brings Change and Competitive Positioning of District Energy (p30)

John Marden, Manager, Energy Services, Cenergy. Inc.

The retail markets for natural gas and electricity have only begun to change. These two authors share their insights on the effects of natural gas and electricity deregulation. The retail competition offers strategic opportunities for utilities, developers, lenders, equipment suppliers, industrial and commercial customers - and district energy companies - to re-evaluate their traditional view of providing and purchasing energy services.

Continuous-Improvement Safety Programs Can Make a Difference (p33)

Ellen Thoma, Human Resources and Administration Manager, District Energy St. Paul. Inc.

Work-related accidents cost U.S. organizations nearly $112 billion each year in wage and productivity losses and medical and administrative expenses. These incredible costs can be reduced by implementing risk management programs that continuously improve workplace safety. Emphasizing the need to change the behavior of employees at all levels, recommendations are offered for building and maintaining such a program.

A Case Study: Concord Steam Corporation, Concord (p37)

Mark Saltsman, Vice President and General Manager, Concord Steam Corporation

With approximately 150 steam district heating customers in downtown Concord, N.H., the Concord Steam Corporation continues to add load. Eight buildings have been added in the past two years. The cogenerated system is fueled by a combination of green woodchips, No. 6 oil, recycled waste oil and natural gas. It sells 2,000 kW of electricity to the grid for sale to Public Service Company of New Hampshire.