National Research Council, Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences, Commission on Engineering and Technical Systems, Committee on District Heating and Cooling District Heating and Cooling in the United States

Annotation

Used historically in urban areas but now mainly in institutions, district heating and cooling systems--efficient centralized energy systems that may use energy sources other than petroleum--have gained renewed interest. This volume is a nontechnical examination of the history and current extent of district heating and cooling systems in the United States, their costs and benefits, technical requirements, market demand for them, and European experience with such systems, with major focus on the problems of financing, regulation, and taxation. Appendixes provide case studies of cities and towns currently using district heating and cooling systems.