Resource Library

Thermal Energy Networks and Area-Based Planning (Webinar)

Gerard MacDonald, Reshape Strategies
Summary: This presentation explains how area-based planning supports efficient TEN development by aligning land use, zoning, and utility coordination. It highlights European and North American case studies.

District Heating Handbook

IDEA
Summary: The handbook offers foundational technical and design guidance for district heating systems. It is a core reference for engineers and planners evaluating site feasibility for district-scale systems.

IEA DHC District Heating and Cooling Connection Handbook

International Energy Agency – District Heating and Cooling Programme
Summary: This guide provides design standards for connecting buildings to district systems. It includes case studies and recommended practices to optimize system efficiency and interoperability.

For Policy Makers – Technology Overview

International Energy Agency – District Heating and Cooling Programme
Summary: A concise policy-oriented summary of DHC and TEN technologies. It provides decision-makers with a technical foundation to support policy development.

Creating Thermal Energy Networks in Rochester, Minnesota

City of Rochester / Center for Energy and Environment
Summary: This project explores feasibility for a city-scale ambient loop in downtown Rochester integrating waste heat, geothermal, and district infrastructure. It models network configurations, customer connections, and costs to guide future utility partnerships.

Thermal Energy Networks in Canada: Unlocking Impact Potential and Advancing Enabling Policy

Building Decarbonization Alliance (BDA)
Summary: This white paper outlines the current status of TEN policy in Canada, identifying key policy and financing barriers. It recommends federal and provincial reforms to accelerate deployment of zero-emission networked thermal systems.

Thermal Energy Networks: Steps to Successful Implementation (Webinar)

CDM Smith, hosted by IDEA
Summary: This webinar presents practical lessons from U.S. TEN pilot projects, emphasizing planning, stakeholder coordination, and cost recovery. It offers implementation steps applicable across utilities and municipalities.

What’s the Deal with Thermal Energy Networks?

Canary Media
Summary: This article introduces TENs as a new approach to neighborhood-scale decarbonization. It highlights early utility pilots in New York and Massachusetts and discusses technical and regulatory challenges.

IDEA NYDPS TENs Technical Conference

IDEA, New York Department of Public Service
Summary: This conference brought together utilities, regulators, and stakeholders to discuss the framework for TEN demonstration projects under CASE 22-M-0429. It details pilot program design, rate recovery, and workforce issues.

Thermal Energy Networks Can Slash Water Use in Buildings

Canary Media
Summary: The article quantifies water and energy savings from utility-scale geothermal networks. It explains how shared ambient loops can outperform traditional HVAC systems in efficiency and sustainability.

Community Energy Development Guide

IDEA / U.S. DOE
Summary: This guide outlines economic frameworks for developing district and networked energy systems. It discusses ownership structures, project finance, and community engagement strategies.

Innovating in 2025 and Beyond: An Outlook on District Energy

District Energy Magazine
Summary: This piece surveys innovation trends in district energy, including digitalization, heat recovery, and low-temperature networks. It emphasizes economic competitiveness through technology adoption.

Sustainable District Cooling Guidelines (PDF)

IEA DHC
Summary: These guidelines assess economic and environmental metrics for cooling networks. They present lifecycle cost analysis and financing recommendations.

Capturing Energy System Opportunities in Your Community (IDEA2024 – TENs for Sustainable Cities)

Michael Ahern, Ever-Green Energy
Summary: Describes how public and private utilities can structure partnerships for TEN implementation. Highlights community-scale models from several U.S. cities.

Managing the Tension Between Profit and Purpose (IDEA2024)

Bruce Ander, Markham District Energy
Summary: Explores governance models balancing financial returns with social outcomes. Discusses municipal and utility leadership in decarbonization projects.

Why Municipally Owned District Energy Utility Works (IDEA2024)

Alen Postolka, LuluIsland Energy Company
Summary: Outlines advantages of public ownership for long-term investment and rate stability. Provides lessons learned from municipally managed systems.