District Energy: How special is it?

摘要

Do you consider district energy a specialty within the field of energy services? I am sure most IDEA members do consider district energy to be a specialized field dealing with central energy plants, thermal distribution systems and interface with multiple buildings. My experience, however, tells me there are many people outside of IDEA who don't think of district energy in this way. This includes many architects and engineers, campus planners, utility executives and administrators for multiple building groups. I have several customers operating district energy systems that serve 12 to 30 buildings with steam, hot water and chilled water who don't consider themselves part of an industry called 'district heating and cooling.' Instead, they operate and maintain 'central systems.'