Neighborhood Energy

Neighborhood energy systems connect all the places in a community - 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. In the US, it is common to find district energy systems on college campuses, in industrial parks and downtown areas. In the last 30 years, European countries have pioneered the development of smaller-scale applications of the technology, creating neighborhood energy utilities tying together detached single family homes, schools, churches, etc.