What We Do

N2e develops community-scaled solutions to address energy independence and climate change. Our principal aims are to replace fossil fuel use with renewable energy sources and to establish community ownership of energy generation and distribution. Our main strategy for implementation is to develop new district energy systems in neighborhoods, towns, and cities throughout the Pacific Northwest.

What is District Energy?

District energy systems connect all the places in a neighborhood - such as schools, churches, businesses, and residences - in a common thermal energy grid. A central plant heats water which is then distributed throughout the neighborhood in underground, insulated pipes. End users install thermal transfer equipment (air handlers, radiators, etc.), allowing them to heat air and domestic water from the incoming hot water supply. For a Wikipedia article with more information on district energy click here.

Neighborhood Natural Energy (N2e)

Launched in 2008, N2e is an Oregon non-profit organization working with communities throughout the region to adapt successful examples of modern district energy (DE) systems for local implementation. Our inspiration comes from Sweden, Denmark, Austria, Canada, and Minnesota, where hydronic DE systems generate thermal energy from renewable resources such as solar thermal, biomass, waste heat recovery, etc.

Here in Oregon we are working at multiple scales to develop thermal energy systems which can reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.  Our smallest project, Salmon Street Energy (pictured above) is a proposed thermal utility in the middle of a residential block, providing space heat and water heating for 14 homes.  Our mid-scale projects utilize schools and commercial buildings as energy platforms for the surrounding neighborhoods.  The larger projects in downtown Portland and Eugene are more conventional applications of DE, but they generate thermal energy using innovative and locally available renewable resources.  For example, the proposed North Pearl District Energy system will harvest biogas from spent grains (mash) from our local craft breweries.  

We hope you enjoy exploring our new and growing website which will have links to DE systems around the world, details of our projects, media coverage, and photos.  Please contact us if you have questions, suggestions, or ideas for DE in your own community.