Special Anniversary Section
IDEA Celebrates 100 Years!
1935–1959
1909–1934
IDEA was founded as the National District
Heating Association on July 15, 1909, in
Toledo, Ohio. IDEA and its predecessors
have held an annual conference every
year since, except 1918 when the conference was not held because of World War I.
For more historical details, please visit
www.districtenergy.org/idea_history.htm.
1960–1984
1985–2009
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The First 25 Years:
Looking back, but eyeing the future
This section’s focus is the early years – 1909-1934.
1909–1934
We believe this look back will help you look forward at the
incredible opportunity that now stands before us on the world
energy stage. We’ve stood the test of time, we’ve proved the
technology works, and we’re positioned to make a difference
for many decades to come.
Industry Frontrunners
NDHA 1909-1934
Presidents (now known as chairs) hailed from:
Baltimore, Md. – 1x
Boston, Mass. – 1x
Chicago, Ill. – 4x
Detroit, Mich. – 4x
Grand Rapids, Mich. – 2x
New York, N.Y. – 4x
Annual conference locations:
Atlantic City, N.J. – 1x
Boston, Mass. – 1x
Cedar Point, Ohio – 3x
Chicago, Ill. – 3x
Columbus, Ohio – 1
Detroit, Mich. – 3x
Indianapolis, Ind. – 1x
Peoria, Ill. – 1x
Philadelphia, Pa. – 1x
Pittsburgh, Pa. – 2x
Rochester, N.Y. – 3x
St. Louis, Mo. – 1x
Toledo, Ohio – 1x
New York, N.Y. – 2x
Niagara Falls, N.Y. – 1x
Pittsburgh, Pa. – 3x
Rochester, N.Y. – 2x
St. Louis, Mo. – 1x
Toledo, Ohio – 1x
West Baden, Ind. – 2x
Here are just a few current IDEA members that had some of the first
commercial district heating systems in the country, which were likely
represented in NDHA’s membership during its startup years. They are
still thriving, as is ‘NDHA.’
Xcel Energy, Denver – System began operation 1880. Considered
oldest continuously operating commercial district heating system in
the world.
Con Edison Steam Operations – System began operation 1882.
Continues to use combined heat and power technology.
Citizens Thermal Energy – System began operation 1888 in a barn.
Current Perry K Plant built in 1893. Uses steam from municipal refuse
incinerator as backup.
Seattle Steam Co. – System began operation 1893. Currently
installing biomass-fueled boiler.
Detroit Thermal – System began operation 1903. 70-80% of steam
sold is from municipal refuse-fired cogeneration plant.
In 1919, NDHA colocated its annual conference
with a meeting of the American Society of
Heating and Ventilating Engineers (ASHRAE’s
predecessor) in Pittsburgh. That same year
ASHVE opened a research laboratory at the
U.S. Bureau of Mines in Pittsburgh; perhaps
The National District
Heating Association’s
first “Handbook of
the National District
Heating Association”
was published in 1921
as a “working manual
of district heating
practice.” The second edition was issued in 1932 and
featured this NDHA logotype, which reflects the art
deco era.
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District Energy Onsite
IDEA Archives
that drove the meeting location.
Cedar Point, Ohio, was the hot spot for NDHA conferences in the early 1920s, serving
as the venue in 1921, 1922 and 1923. Attendees are shown here enjoying the beach
June 20-23, 1922. Cedar Point is home to the “number-one rated amusement park on
the planet” and has been since 1870, according to the Cedar Point Web site. Rumor
has it that college football legend and Notre Dame great Knute Rockne worked as
a lifeguard here with teammate and quarterback Gus Dorais in 1913. During their free
time they supposedly perfected the forward pass on this very Cedar Point Beach.
Near the Head of the Pack
Business Partners Remain Vital Link
1908
1909
1914
1932
1933
1940
1942
1949
1954
1964
1970
1973
1973
1977
1977
1978
1982
1985
1986
1991
1992
1993
1994
1999
2004
2004
2006
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
American Society of Heating and Ventilating Engineers (now ASHRAE)
National Association of Building Owners and Managers
(now BOMA International)
National Governors Association
National District Heating Association (now IDEA)
Association of Superintendents of Buildings and Grounds
[now APPA (facilities officers)]
U.S. Conference of Mayors
Edison Electric Institute
American Public Power Association
National Rural Electric Cooperative Association
Swedish District Heating Association
Euroheat & Power
Finnish District Heating Association
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
International Energy Agency
Electric Power Research Institute
Association of Energy Engineers
U.S. Department of Energy
Danish Board of District Heating
Italian District Heating Association
Canadian District Energy Association
National Association of State Energy Officials
Association for the District Heating of the Czech Republic
Japan Heat Service Utilities Association
Cogen Europe
Natural Resources Canada (but traces its roots to 1842)
U.S. Clean Heat and Power Association
District Energy Cluster of Slovenia
Korea District Heating Association
Middle East Chapter – International District Energy Association
Some Things Old Are New Again
Combined heat and power –1882: Thomas Edison’s Pearl Street Station –
the world’s first commercial power plant – began operation. It was considered the first modern use of energy recycling – or combined heat and power.
The technology was used prevalently in the late 1800s and early 1900s and
is now seeing a resurgence.
Electric cars – 1891: First electric automobile built in United States. 1900
was the electric car’s heyday, but the product ceased to be viable in the
1920s as gasoline models became more popular and offered longer distances
and more horsepower. Although still addressing the same issues, electric
cars are regaining popularity.
Alternate fuel vehicles – 1908: Henry Ford’s first mass-produced Model T
used ethanol, gasoline, or any combination of the two fuels. Ethanol is now in
use around the world. In Sweden all gasoline contains some percentage of
ethanol.
Vendors to the industry – business partners – have always
played an important role in IDEA’s ability to inform, connect
and advance the district energy technology in the U.S. and
around the world. IDEA found this 1920 ad for the St. John
steam meter on eBay and quickly snatched it up as one of
the few remaining ads for these products from that era.
FRESH ON THE SCENE: AIR CONDITIONING
While efforts to cool buildings date back to ancient Romans,
the invention of modern air conditioning is attributed to
Willis Haviland Carrier. In 1902, just one year after he
graduated from Cornell University with a master’s degree
in engineering, he put the first “air-conditioning” system
in operation at a Brooklyn printing plant. (Carrier’s patent
called it “the apparatus for treating air”; it was textile
engineer Stuart Cramer who first used the phrase “air
conditioning” in a 1906 patent claim.)
In 1911 Carrier disclosed his basic Rational Psychrometric
Formulae to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
The formula still stands as the basis in all fundamental
calculations for the air-conditioning industry. In 1921,
Carrier patented the centrifugal refrigeration machine.
The centrifugal chiller was considered the first practical
method of air conditioning large spaces.
In 1909 President William Howard Taft was inaugurated as 27th president of the United
States during a 10-inch snowstorm in Washington, D.C. His inaugural ball was held in
the National Building Museum, shown here, where IDEA will hold its 100th anniversary
gala in June 2009. The museum is billed as one of the world’s most prominent and vital
venues for informed, reasoned debate about the built environment and its impact
on people’s lives. For more on the museum, visit www.nbm.org.
Courtesy National Building Museum.
1880
1894
1907
IDEA Archives
The founders of the National District Heating Association – today’s IDEA –
certainly had foresight, giving shape to an industry organization even before
the power industry did. Take a look at a sample of other organizations that
have been formed over the ensuing decades.
June 2009
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The Second 25 Years:
Defying the odds, gaining momentum
This section’s focus is 1935-1959, an incredible time in
history. During these 25 years, the association and its members
endured the end of the Great Depression, World War II and the
1935–1959
Korean War, ultimately seeing the beginning of the Space Age in
the late 1950s. Association minutes point out that it lost just one
member company during the Great Depression, an incredible feat
given the trying times. That staying power has been evidenced
throughout the organization’s history and is a trait we believe positions us to continue to make a difference in the energy industry.
NDHA 1935-1959:
An Industry Frontrunner With
Longtime Customers
Presidents (now known as chairs) hailed from:
IDEA-member NRG Energy Center San Francisco traces its district heating
system’s roots to 1885, when its predecessors began operation of an
off-site boiler plant for a nearby hotel. The main plant was built in
1924 and has some notable longtime customers:
The Second 25 Years
Akron, Ohio – 1x
Baltimore, Md. – 1x
Boston, Mass. – 2x
Dayton, Ohio – 1x
Detroit, Mich. – 4x
Duluth, Minn. – 2x
New York, N.Y. – 3x
Philadelphia, Pa. – 4x
Pittsburgh, Pa. – 2x
Rochester, N.Y. – 2x
St. Louis, Mo. – 2x
Toledo, Ohio – 1x
Annual conference locations:
Asheville, N.C. – 1x
Atlantic City, N.J. – 1x
Baltimore, Md. – 1x
Chicago, Ill. – 1x
Cleveland, Ohio – 1x
Dayton, Ohio – 1x
Detroit, Mich. – 2x
French Lick, Ind. – 2x
Grand Rapids, Mich. – 1x
Hot Springs, Va. – 1x
Lookout Mountain, Tenn. – 1x
New York, N.Y. – 1x
Philadelphia, Pa. – 1x
Pittsburgh, Pa. – 3x
St. Louis, Mo. – 1x
Skytop, Pa. – 2x
Swampscott, Mass. – 1x
Virginia Beach, Va. – 1x
White Sulphur Springs, W.V. – 1x
Williamsburg, Va. – 1x
The Flood Building – 870 Market. Built 1904; survived 1906
earthquake and fire but underwent restoration as needed in 1907.
The Phelan Building – 760 Market. Rebuilt 1908 after earthquake and fire.
St. Boniface Church – 137 Golden Gate. Rebuilt 1908 after earthquake and fire.
Old St. Mary's Church – 660 California. Renovated 1909 after
earthquake and fire.
The Olympic Club – 524 Post. Rebuilt 1912 after earthquake and fire.
Orpheum Theater – 1192 Market. Constructed 1926.
Russ Building – 235 Montgomery. Constructed 1927.
Grace Cathedral – 1190 California. Constructed 1928.
These members of NDHA’s executive committee in
1938 likely played a role in the association’s continued operation in spite of the Great Depression.
In June 1935, the financial committee reported that
the financial condition of the association “is much
improved,” with a net cash position of $2,540.56.
The executive committee then approved the 19351936 budget, which projected total revenue of
$9,175 and total expenses of $7,340. The committee
expressed its desire to continue building a surplus, as
long as it could be done “without curtailing the
service rendered to its members by the Association.”
IDEA archives.
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District Energy Onsite
Oct. 3, 1935
Mid-Year Meeting of NDHA’s Executive
Committee and Chairmen of the Standing
Committees in Greenville, Ohio
“Mr. Engle reported concerning incorporating the NDHA,
stating the cost of incorporation would be between Two
Hundred and Fifty and Three Hundred Dollars, depending upon
the laws of the State in which the incorporation should be made.
Recommendation was made that the Association be incorporated
as soon as finances would permit. Moved, seconded and carried
that we adopt the report of Mr. Engle.”
“HOT WATER COMMITTEE. Mr. F. L. Witsell, Chairman, reported
and stated that since little hot water heat was sold, perhaps the
committee should be abolished, but the Executive Committee
asked him to keep his finger on the pulse of the work and make
a short report at the convention.”
“SALES DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE. Mr. R.J.J. Tennant,
Chairman, reported and asked that the committee be given
from one and one-half to two hours for its report, discussion
and an inspirational speaker. He stated further that the committee
report would probably cover the following subjects:
1. Fuel Price Change.
2. Measure of Intangibles.
3. Training of Employees.
The committee is doing a great amount of preliminary work on
the Sales Manual. Mr. J. E. Seiter made a sales talk on this feature
of the Sales Development Committee work and convincingly
related the merits of the Manual in making successful salesmen.
The idea is to have a group meeting, discussion groups with expert
teaching personnel. The Sales Manual will be available only to
those companies participating in the ‘school.’ Members of the
Association will be kept informed of the progress of this work.
Amendment made that the school be financed by the sale of
the service to members companies with the exception of the
Association doing some miscellaneous printing not to exceed
$500.00.”
IDEA archives.
NDHA held a trade show in a grand hall in 1941 during its annual conference in
Pittsburgh, Pa. At the far end of the hall, exhibitors were a company promoting
Unibestos, Warren Webster Co. (steam traps and repair parts), and Ric-Wil
piping company (back right). Other 1941 exhibitors included E.B. Badger & Sons
(acquired by Stone & Webster in 1948), Wright Austin Co. from Detroit, and
the American District Steam Co. (founded in 1881).
COOL FACTS
1931 – R-12 introduced as commercial refrigerant, ushering in the fluorocarbon age.
1932 – R-11 introduced as commercial refrigerant.
1936 – R-22 introduced as commercial refrigerant.
1938 – A study of Detroit Edison workers shows that productivity increases 51 percent
after comfort cooling is installed.
– Centrifugal compressor introduced by Trane. This was the forerunner of the
modern water chiller, which combined a centrifugal compressor, condenser and
evaporator into a single unit.
1945 – R-13 introduced as commercial refrigerant.
1950 – Sales of room air conditioners surpass 100,000.
– R-500 introduced as commercial refrigerant.
– The father of air conditioning, Willis Carrier, dies.
1955 – R-14 introduced as commercial refrigerant.
1957 – The first rotary compressor is manufactured replacing the less efficient reciprocating
compressor allowing for the construction of small, lighter and quieter chillers.
1959 – The emergence of ASHRAE as we know it today, with the merger of two societies –
American Society of Heating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHAE) and the
American Society of Refrigerating Engineers (ASRE).
Sources: ASHRAE Centennial; “A History of Modular Chillers,” Tandem Chillers;
www.DuPont.com.
NDHA marked the organization’s 50th
anniversary with a special edition of
District Heating magazine. For more
information about the history of
district heating and IDEA, please see
“The History of District Heating,” by John F. Collins, Jr.,
IDEA archives.
NDHA held its 42nd annual meeting at the Hotel Statler in
Detroit, Mich., in 1951. Located in the Foxtown neighborhood, the 18-story structure was demolished in 2005 after
standing vacant for 30 years.
in the on-line April, 1959 issue of District Heating magazine
(the precursor of District Energy), pp. 154-161 on the Web at
http://www.districtenergy-digital.org/districtenergy/1959april
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The Third 25 Years:
Cooling debuts, energy crisis weathered
This section’s focus is 1960-1984, which brought some
changes and challenges for the association. During
1960–1984
these 25 years, the association and its members saw the birth of
commercial district cooling, battled the energy crises of the 1970s,
encountered a competitor and began to recognize the importance
of lobbying on a national scale.
NDHA/IDHA 1960-1984: The Third 25 Years
Year
President (now known as chair)
Annual conference location
1960
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
Albert F. Metzger, Pittsburgh, Pa.
John D. Lemon, Indianapolis, Ind.
Frank C. Meyer, Boston Edison, Boston, Mass.
Robert H. Swoyer, Allentown, Pa.
James W. Heaton, Philadelphia, Pa.
Carl W. Signor, Detroit, Mich.
E.C. Bruce, New York, N.Y.
Donald H. Brandt, Jackson, Mich.
S.F. Whirl, Duquesne Light Co., Pittsburgh, Pa.
J.W. Megley, Boston Edison, Boston, Mass.
Chester C. Curley, Allentown, Pa.
Everett C. Russell, Philadelphia Electric Co., Philadelphia, Pa.
Joseph J. Bosl, ADSCO, Cleveland, Ohio
Alvin B. Spetz, Rochester Gas & Electric Corp., Rochester, N.Y.
Carroll W. Easton, Seattle Steam Co., Seattle, Wash.
Ellwood A. Clymer, Philadelphia Electric Co., Philadelphia, Pa.
Mack A. Riley, Alabama Power Co., Birmingham, Ala.
Norman R. Taylor, Baltimore Gas & Electric Co., Baltimore, Md.
Lawrence E. Tuck, Boston Edison, Boston, Mass.
Helge Nurmi, Detroit Edison, Detroit, Mich.
Robert F. Botsford, Rochester Gas-Electric, Rochester, N.Y.
John Vandermolen, University of Guelph, Ont., Canada
Clement Crooks, Baltimore Gas & Electric Co., Baltimore, Md.
Anthony C. Mirabella, Hartford Steam Service Co., Hartford, Conn.
Herbert A. Jaehne, District Heating Development Co., St. Paul, Minn.
Asheville, N.C.
Portsmouth, N.H.
White Sulphur Springs, W.V.
Virginia Beach, Va.
Niagara Falls, Ont., Canada
Williamsburg, Va.
Cooperstown, N.Y.
Whitefield, N.H.
Belleair, Mich.
Hershey, Pa.
Mont Gabriel, Que., Canada
Buck Hill Falls, Pa.
Oak Brook, Ill.
French Lick, Ind.
Cooperstown, N.Y.
Skytop, Pa.
Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
Pinehurst, N.C.
Hot Springs, Va.
Dixville Notch, N.H.
Harbor Springs, Mich.
Cooperstown, N.Y.
Ste. Anne de Beaupre, Que., Canada
Lancaster, Pa.
Bretton Woods, N.H.
College and university systems
started even before NDHA was born
Dartmouth – 1898
Drake University – 1908
Goshen College – 1904
Indiana University, Bloomington – 1885
Iowa State University – 1884
Mansfield University – 1800s
Mount Holyoke College – 1898
Pittsburgh State University – 1903
Texas A&M University – pre-1900
University of California, Berkeley – 1904
University of Colorado, Boulder – 1909
University of Michigan – late 1800s
University of Missouri, Columbia – 1892
University of New Mexico – 1897
University of Northern Iowa – 1883
University of Pittsburgh – 1907
University of Washington – 1898
Williams College – 1902
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District Energy Onsite
The Magazine’s
Early Days
District Energy magazine began
publication as “The Bulletin of
the National District Heating
Association” in October 1915.
The publication’s philosophy is
summed up in an article in that
issue by Prof. J.D. Hoffman: “This
is an age of co-operation. Trade
secrets are few. Valuable information is, so to speak, thrust at us
in the technical press and the
schools of the country, almost
without cost. It certainly shows lack
of ambition or carelessness on the
part of the man who fails to take
advantage of this information to
the improvement of himself and the
position he occupies.” Well said.
1968 – National District Heating Association becomes
the International District Heating Association (IDHA).
Biggest Industry News of the ‘60s: IDHA-member Hartford
Steam starts up first commercial chilled-water system in the United States
in 1962. Once the new plant
was up and running, it quickly
became a destination for local
and international tour groups.
This group of fifth graders from
Duffy School in West Hartford
toured the plant in early 1963.
Believe It or Not! David L. Gaskill, NDHA’s secretary from
Ohio, reported in 1925 that Nicholas II, the last czar of Russia, had
been a member of the National District Heating Association under
an assumed name.
IDHA and BOMA: In 1977 IDHA collaborated with BOMA
International to publish “How to Operate and Maintain a Building and
Its Heating System to Gain Greater Comfort With Minimum Steam Use.”
Described as “a handy, informative little 55-page book,” it sold for
$1 plus shipping and handling.
A Vote for Inclusion
In 1973, IDHA appointed a special task force to investigate whether
university members should be eligible for election as officers of the
association. The ensuing study of the constitution and by-laws led to the
recommendation that changes be made to open up the officers’ positions to university members. The proposed by-laws changes, subsequently
approved, reflected growing participation in association affairs by non-utility company members and permitted college, university and other institutional members to be eligible for election to the offices of vice president
and president. IDHA’s first president representing a university was John
Vandermolen from the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, in 1981.
He also was the association’s first president from Canada.
Local Association News: Upper Midwest Section of IDHA
formed in 1981 by IDHA members at the District Heating Development Co.
in St. Paul, Minn., and the Minneapolis Energy Center. A New England
Section was active in the 1970s.
The number of employed engineers in the U.S.
doubled to more than 1.5 million between
1960 and 1982.
IDHA Goes to Washington
In 1980 IDHA packed up its Pittsburgh office and moved the association’s
headquarters to Washington, D.C., to be closer to the powers that be. Along
with the move came a new column in District Heating magazine called
“Washington Boiler,” where the executive director each issue summarized
the work IDHA was conducting in the legislative arena.
A New Look: What was then known as District Heating
magazine got a new look in the early 1980s.
Pabst Part of District Heating’s Past
In 1896, The Milwaukee Electric Railway & Light Company (TMER&L) in
Milwaukee, Wis., was incorporated around existing street railways, which
had recently been electrified. This company would become the Wisconsin
Electric Power Company in 1938 and We Energies in 2001.
Photo Carol M. Highsmith.
The origins of district heating in Milwaukee date to 1897, when TMER&L
purchased various assets from brewer Frederick Pabst, including a pair of
powerhouses. The “lighting plant” on Broadway in downtown Milwaukee
also distributed waste steam to the Pabst Theater, the Pabst-owned St.
Charles Hotel, and other buildings on the east side of the Milwaukee River.
As a result, it was the earliest instance of cogeneration in what became
the We Energies steam system.
At least one customer has been served by the district heating system for
more than 100 years: Wisconsin Telephone, now AT&T Wisconsin. Drawings
from 1908 show the steam connection at its original building near Grand
(Wisconsin) Ave. and Fifth St. Wisconsin Telephone moved from this building
to its current location on North
Broadway in the 1920s, and the
‘new’ building has always been
served by the district heating
system.
Currently, We Energies owns
two district heating systems in
Milwaukee and Wauwatosa,
We Energies’ long run of service continues,
providing steam to one of the city’s newest Wis., serving 468 steam account
buildings – the Milwaukee Art Museum –
customers. Source: We Energies.
which has become a city landmark.
International Industry News from 1979: IDHAmember Perma-Pipe announces it has received a contract to provide more
than 200,000 ft of insulated steel pipe for the King Khalid Military City district
cooling system in Saudi Arabia. It was the company’s first contract in the
Middle East marketplace.
To Merge or Not to Merge, That Was the Question
In the early 1980s a competing district energy association was born –
the North American District Heating and Cooling Institute. At the time,
IDHA was known for its technical background and solid utility and physical
plant membership base; NADHCI became known for its legislative lobbying,
marketing and a strong supplier and consultant membership base.
IDHA’s board felt it was important to consolidate the industry so it
could speak with one voice in Washington, plus the association was experiencing financial constraints. As a result, IDHA approached NADHCI about a
merger. IDHA President Tony Mirabella led the effort, integrating membership
feedback and board direction into ongoing negotiations. There was even a
proposed name: American District Heating and Cooling Association. As of
the end of IDHA’s 75th anniversary year 1984, a final decision had not been
reached, but negotiations continued. Ultimately the merger did not proceed
and NADHCI was disbanded.
Meet Our 1984 Magazine Advertisers
ADSCO
Advanced Thermal Systems*
Aeroquip Corp.
American Hydrotherm Corp.
Armstrong Machine Works
Cadillac Meter Co.
CU Services
EBKO
EMCO
George Grant Co.
Indeck*
Isolrohr
Keeler/Dorr-Oliver
Kent Process Control Co.
Pathway Bellows
Protexulate
Ricwil (now part of Perma-Pipe)*
Spence Engineering*
Swedish Trade Office
Sonceboz Corp.
Wehotherm
Wright-Austin Co.
* These companies are present-day
magazine advertisers as well!
June 2009
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A Gas Executive’s Industry View in 1984
A Cooling Breakthrough
Excerpted from “A Gas Executive’s View of District Heating and Cooling
Benefits, Needs, Opportunities,” Robert H. Willis, Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer, Connecticut Natural Gas Corp., Fourth Quarter 1984
District Heating magazine. Willis spoke at IDHA’s 75th anniversary
conference in June 1984. The Hartford Steam Co., which operates the
system referenced in the article, is now a wholly owned subsidiary of
The Energy East Corp.
Excerpted from an editorial by IDHA’s Executive Director Norm Taylor,
Third Quarter 1984 District Heating magazine.
“Congratulations on your 75th anniversary.
“District heating and cooling in my opinion is an undertaking with
a great potential that almost no one outside of the industry knows
about, for understandable reasons….
“Connecticut Natural Gas Corp.’s district heating and cooling
operation, now 23 years old, was the first commercial venture of its
kind. We heat and cool most of the major buildings in downtown
Hartford….
“Our district heating and cooling operation has been successful
over the years, and has pioneered in many innovations. Operations
have been profitable in eight of the past 11 years….
“However, like most energy users, we were hit hard by the rising
energy prices of the 1970s and since then….Customer conservation
programs became more and more intensive as energy costs climbed.
Our steam sales plummeted nearly 30 percent from 1973 to 1980 and
chilled-water sales even more.
“We remained convinced that we had an outstanding service to
sell, and our plant and its capacity were steadily upgraded. One
central downtown climate control service saves a lot of energy at a
time when conservation is a national ethic and in spite of current
complacency, is also a national necessity….
“The point I want to make is that central source heating and
cooling, an ancient concept, remains a viable and promising one for
the future, perhaps more so than ever before if we adapt to current
changes and opportunities….
“What is the long range potential for district heating and cooling
progress and service? Unless an association can define it in clear-cut
figures, it is not going to sell the potential to Congress, DOE or anyone
else.
“A second fundamental of association success that I’ve learned is
the fact that vital as lobbying in Washington, D.C., may be, it cannot
be fully effective without backup support from the members back
home….
“No association can really succeed in attaining national legislative
objectives unless its members provide the enthusiastic and unified
local-level support that lets their Congressional representatives know
that there are voters back home who care….
“To sum up, our own experience at Connecticut Natural Gas
indicates to me that district heating and cooling can have an excellent
future. Realization of the potential will require a continuing strong
effort to obtain favorable legislative treatment in Congress.
“Your Washington people certainly are making good progress in
this direction. I also urge that both through your association and
through individual localized efforts, you seek to develop better public
understanding of the environmental and economic benefits of district
heating and cooling….
“It has been a pleasure for me to meet with you, and I thank you
very much.”
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District Energy Onsite
“….Why do we think district cooling is so important that we may even
change IDHA to IDHCA – International District Heating and Cooling
Association?
“Cooling has always been sort of a stepchild in the district heating ethic.
Certainly we have kept statistics on cooling systems, and there is a hot
and chilled water technical committee, but all in all it was generally
something of an afterthought. It took a recent DOE study as to just how
much cooling by chilled water distribution was in place in the U.S. It did
not take much imagination to project
that this was a fast growing market and
that it fits very nicely with district heating and its full bore addition puts real
meaning into district thermal systems.”
Editor’s Note 2009: Norm Taylor was
diagnosed with cancer shortly after the
third quarter 1984 issue was published.
He formally submitted his resignation
from IDHA in the fourth quarter 1984
issue, just as the organization officially
changed its name to the International
District Heating & Cooling Association.
Taylor passed away in 1986. The Norman
R. Taylor Award – IDEA’s person of the
year – is named in his honor.
Government Support
In the late 1970s and
early 1980s, IDHA
worked closely with the
U.S. Department of
Energy and the U.S.
Department of Housing
and Urban Development,
which supported grant
programs for district
heating system development. Shown here are
Wyndham Clarke, Energy Division, HUD; Floyd Collins, Utility Systems
Division, DOE; Mike Karnitz, Oak Ridge National Laboratory; and Stuart
Sloame, HUD.
The Fourth 25 Years:
Association expands global and legislative reach
This section’s focus is 1985-2009, a time of burgeoning
district cooling development in North America and around the
1985–2009
world, rising energy prices, and increased importance and awareness of the U.S. energy and environmental legislative agenda.
Since 2000 the association has grown rapidly and set its sights on
being a major part of the solution to energy and environmental
challenges.
IDHCA/IDEA 1985-2009: The Fourth 25 Years
Year
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
President/Chair (chair as of 2000)
Annual conference location
Steve Banyacski, Spence Engineering Co., Walden, N.Y.
Carl E. Avers, Catalyst Thermal Energy Corp., Youngstown, Ohio
Ishai Oliker, Burns and Roe, Oradell, N.J.
Robert O. Couch, Intergy Inc., Brecksville, Ohio
John F. Kattner, Kattner Marketing Management, Minneapolis, Minn.
Hans O. Nyman, District Energy St. Paul, St. Paul, Minn.
John A. Gray, Dearborn Chemical, Toronto, Ont., Canada
Richard A. Mayer, Pacific Gas & Electric, San Francisco, Calif.
Thomas R. Casten, Trigen Energy Corp., White Plains, N.Y.
Michael E. McKay, Princeton University, Princeton, N.J.
Joette Woodard-Yauk, Lansing Board of Water and Light, Lansing, Mich.
Stephen K. Swinson, Trigen Kansas City, Kansas City, Mo.
Stephen K. Swinson, Trigen Kansas City, Kansas City, Mo.
Robert P. Thornton, Northwind Boston, Boston, Mass.
Robert P. Thornton, Northwind Boston, Boston, Mass.
Raymond E. DuBose, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, N.C.
Raymond E. DuBose, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, N.C.
Todd Johnson, Energy Systems Co., Omaha, Neb.
Joel Greene, Energy Advocates LLP, Washington, D.C.
Anders Rydaker, District Energy St. Paul, St. Paul, Minn.
Cheryl Gomez, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va.
Gary Rugel, EVAPCO, Baltimore, Md.
Robert D. Smith, RMF Engineering, Baltimore, Md.
Dennis Fotinos, Enwave Energy Corp., Toronto, Ont., Canada
Juan Ontiveros, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas (chairman-elect)
Minneapolis, Minn.
Asheville, N.C.
Baltimore, Md.
Chautauqua, N.Y.
Virginia Beach, Va.
Toronto, Ont., Canada
San Francisco, Calif.
Danvers, Mass.
Harrisburg, Pa.
Seattle, Wash.
Indianapolis, Ind.
Washington, D.C.
San Diego, Calif.
San Antonio, Texas
Boston, Mass.
Montreal, Que., Canada
Las Vegas, Nev.
Baltimore, Md.
Philadelphia, Pa.
Seattle, Wash.
St. Paul, Minn.
Nashville, Tenn.
Scottsdale, Ariz.
Orlando, Fla.
Washington, D.C.
In 1985 IDHCA made its first
move back to a major city
(Minneapolis) for the annual
conference since 1951, introducing district energy system
tours and reinstating the trade
show. Organizers were concerned about holding the conference in a city setting – and
about going to Minnesota. So
they started to rally attendees
right after the 1984 conference
(when the association was still
known as IDHA), sending this
mailer to members along with
tourist information about the
area. Attendance held steady,
with no drop-off in participation, so to this day the association continues to visit cities
where systems are in operation.
New workshop and conferences debut.
IDHCA’s first annual marketing workshop held separately from the annual conference was in October
1986 in St. Louis, Mo. The workshop spun off of the
Previously known as the International District
Heating Association, the association officially began
using its new name – International District
Heating and Cooling Association – in 1985. In
1994 it became the International District Energy
Association using the current logo to reflect increased
interest in combined heat and power systems.
Reverse osmosis water treatment systems gained in
popularity in the 1980s since they remove most of
the dissolved mineral solids in a raw makeup water
but not discharge any undesirable spent regenerants
into the environment. (Source: First Quarter 1991
District Heating and Cooling magazine.)
marketing group’s initial meeting during the 1985
annual conference in Minneapolis, Minn. The group
was comprised of a public relations and communications committee, a business development committee,
a customer service committee and a committee
responsible for liaison with local and regional chapters and affiliated associations. In 1986 IDHCA also
conducted its first district cooling conference. In
1987 the first College/University/ Physical Plant
Conference – now known as the Campus Energy
Conference – was held at Princeton University.
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I
n the late 1980s, Dave
“... He’ s taking after
you more every day...”
Toombs, current general
manager of Citizens Thermal
Energy, participated in IDHCA
as a representative of Catalyst
Thermal Energy Corp. in
Youngstown, Ohio.
IDHCA member San Francisco Thermal (now NRG Energy Center San
Francisco) successfully weathered a 7.1 magnitude October 1989
earthquake, with no service interruption, in spite of the type of damage
in the city as shown here. General Manager Rich Mayer reported that
several IDHCA members called to offer their assistance during the crisis,
but the good news is they weren’t needed. But Mayer wrote “We all
should be proud to be part of such a close-knit, caring group. While
we’re all in business to make a profit, it’s terrific to know that when
there’s an emergency there are others in this association who will help
out. This certainly reaffirms my participation in the association!”
David Wade of RDA Engineering shared this cartoon from his own archives.
His secretary in the 1980s drew the image and presented it to him as a
gift. It looks like she certainly understood Dave – and the technology!
Courtesy San Francisco Fire Department.
In 1988 IDHCA produced an industry brochure called “Take Control”
(as shown below) to help association and members with their marketing
efforts. In 1990 it unveiled a complementary brochure titled “We’ve Got
the Energy to Help Clear the Air” addressing district energy and the
environment.
IDHCA participated in a roundtable breakfast with U.S. Department
of Housing and Urban Development representatives in
Washington, D.C., in 1987. The goal of the breakfast was to air ideas
to bridge the gap between the district heating and cooling industry
and local representatives in the public housing sector.
1988 – James Schlesinger, first U.S. Secretary of Energy (1977-1979),
provided the keynote address at IDHCA’s 79th Annual Conference in
Chautauqua, N.Y.
IDHCA and the North American District Heating and Cooling
Institute agreed in 1988 to unite their membership and continue certain
major NADHCI activities under the auspices of IDHCA.
In 1990 the U.S. Department of Energy completed district cooling
feasibility study assessments for Baltimore, Md.; University of
Arkansas, Little Rock, Ark.; Miami, Fla.; New Haven, Conn.; New Orleans,
La.; Phoenix, Ariz.; St. Louis, Mo.; San Francisco, Calif.; Stamford, Conn.;
and Honolulu, Hawaii.
IDEA conferences have always been an opportunity to learn and
exchange ideas, as Jack Kattner, then with the Minneapolis Energy
Center, at right, and Kevin Brown from Trigen did in the mid-1980s
at the Community Energy Systems Conference.
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District Energy Onsite
1990 – U.S. Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 were signed
by President George Bush, accelerating CFC phaseout.
Trade Show Has Grown. There were 18 booth spaces in
the trade show at IDHCA’s annual conference in 1987. In 2009 there will
be nearly or over 90!
Revenue Growth. IDHCA’s revenue was close to $350,000
($595,000 in 2009 dollars) in 1989. IDEA closed out 2008 with
$3.2 million in revenues.
Membership Growth. In 1992 IDHCA’s membership was 575. In
2007 IDEA broke a record, climbing above 1,000 for the first time ever.
IDEA President Hans O. Nyman from
District Energy St. Paul states in his
Fourth Quarter 1990 column in District
Energy magazine that “The lack of
action by the United States on global
warming contrasts sharply with the
responses of other developed nations.
The United States….must start to make
significant progress on reducing carbon
dioxide emissions….District heating and
cooling can help the United States and
Canada to significantly reduce emissions
President George W. Bush toured District Energy St. Paul’s combined
heat and power plant just before debuting his national energy policy in 2001.
IDEA’s board of directors voted in June 2000 during a meeting in Montreal
to transition to a self-performing association, naming Robert P.
Thornton as president.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency launched its Combined
Heat and Power (CHP) Partnership in 2001. To date 70 percent of
of carbon dioxide and other pollutants.”
all partners are IDEA members. Partners are organizations committed to
improving the efficiency of the United States’ energy infrastructure and
U.S. Secretary of Energy Federico Pena spoke at IDEA’s 89th Annual
reducing the emission of pollutants and greenhouse gases.
Conference held in San Antonio, Texas, in 1998. Pena remarked “The
total amount of waste energy vented into the atmosphere across the
nation is significant. President Clinton last year noted the opportunity
to reduce greenhouse gas
Sept. 11, 2001. Terror touched the IDEA community with the
tragic loss of Richard Morgan of Consolidated Edison of New York.
emissions by recovering
Dick was killed as he answered
power plant waste heat
the call of duty at the World Trade
when he emphasized that
Center in his role on the Mayor’s
‘Today two-thirds of the
Emergency Response Team to
energy used to provide
secure the safety of the world’s
electricity is squandered in
largest steam system. Dick served
waste heat, We can do much, much better.’” He is shown here at left,
on IDEA’s board of directors and
with Steve Swinson outgoing IDEA president (center) and Rob
received the Norman R. Taylor
Thornton, incoming president.
Award in June 2000, in recognition
of his contributions to the district
District Energy Growth Recorded.
energy industry and IDEA. We miss
In 1990 IDHCA began recording the square footage of buildings added
his wise counsel, his commitment
to district energy systems across North America in a document called
to sharing knowledge and his warm humility. Dick Morgan was a true
“DHC Space.” Over the years the document became “District Energy
gentleman and a hero.
Space” and now reports industry growth around the world. In the first
year, 3 million sq ft of space were reported by IDHCA members; in 2007
In 2003 IDEA completed a U.S. Department of Energy-funded survey of
the cumulative total over the years topped 422 million sq ft, with an
district energy combined heat and power systems at campuses and
additional 237 million sq ft of space reported in 2007 alone from IDEA’s
airports. The results are still available at www.districtenergy.org/CHP_
members in the Middle East.
Census/CHPCensusWebsitePhaseII/OtherCensusPages/census_homepage.htm.
June 2009
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