Outreach Handout - Arlingtonva
Crystal City & Pentagon City Integrated Energy Master Plan A District Energy Feasibility Study Summary: Arlington County and Vornado/Charles E. Smith are studying the feasibility of developing a district energy system in Crystal City and Pentagon City. Developing a district energy system is one of the recommendations of Arlington’s County Community Energy Plan, which seeks to save money for local residents and businesses by reducing energy bills, cutting greenhouse gas emissions in the county by 75% by 2050, making energy sources reliable and secure, and improving the overall economic competitiveness of the community. The Crystal City and Pentagon City study will evaluate the economics of a district energy system and share the results publicly at the conclusion of the study.
What is district energy and why develop it in Crystal City and Pentagon City? We waste almost 65% of our energy in the way most systems produce electricity. The majority of the waste happens at the power plant when leftover energy is dumped into the atmosphere as heat and some is lost transmitting the electricity so many miles from the distant power plant to local customers. Arlington County strives to reduce energy waste using district energy. District energy uses a network of underground pipes to deliver hot and chilled water from a central plant to local buildings. If electricity production is integrated with the system, we could capture 70% of available energy, a big improvement from the standard 35% efficiency on the electric grid. This process of capturing heat from electricity and using it for hot and chilled water is known as “combined heat and power” or “CHP.” With this approach, Arlingtonians would get more energy per dollar and would benefit from reliable and efficient sources of energy.
Benefits of district energy
District energy and combined heat and power will improve the efficiency of the local energy system, saving money for residents and business.
District energy systems put more control in the hands of the local community, creating greater energy independence and more flexibility to move away from fossil fuels.
Developing a district energy system in Crystal City and Pentagon City would reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This supports Arlington County’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2050.
District energy systems increasing the reliability and adaptability of the energy supply to better meet the needs of residents and businesses.
Learn More about Arlington County’s Community Energy Plan and District Energy Arlington County Community Energy Plan (http://freshaireva.us/2012/04/energyplan/)
Contact: Chris Somers (Project Manager) [email protected] 703.228.7514
What is district energy and why develop it in Crystal City and Pentagon City? We waste almost 65% of our energy in the way most systems produce electricity. The majority of the waste happens at the power plant when leftover energy is dumped into the atmosphere as heat and some is lost transmitting the electricity so many miles from the distant power plant to local customers. Arlington County strives to reduce energy waste using district energy. District energy uses a network of underground pipes to deliver hot and chilled water from a central plant to local buildings. If electricity production is integrated with the system, we could capture 70% of available energy, a big improvement from the standard 35% efficiency on the electric grid. This process of capturing heat from electricity and using it for hot and chilled water is known as “combined heat and power” or “CHP.” With this approach, Arlingtonians would get more energy per dollar and would benefit from reliable and efficient sources of energy.
Benefits of district energy
District energy and combined heat and power will improve the efficiency of the local energy system, saving money for residents and business.
District energy systems put more control in the hands of the local community, creating greater energy independence and more flexibility to move away from fossil fuels.
Developing a district energy system in Crystal City and Pentagon City would reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This supports Arlington County’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2050.
District energy systems increasing the reliability and adaptability of the energy supply to better meet the needs of residents and businesses.
Learn More about Arlington County’s Community Energy Plan and District Energy Arlington County Community Energy Plan (http://freshaireva.us/2012/04/energyplan/)
Contact: Chris Somers (Project Manager) [email protected] 703.228.7514
