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Our StoryDistrict Energy St. Paul operates the largest, most successful, biomass-fueled hot water district heating system in North America. |
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Launched as a demonstration project in 1983, District Energy was Saint Paul's response to the energy crises of the mid- and late-1970s. The venture was a public/private partnership among the City of Saint Paul, State of Minnesota, U.S. Department of Energy and the downtown business community, all of whom wanted to prove the viability of a hot water district heating system in a state with cold winters. District Energy started out as a vision of St. Paul Mayor George Latimer. Led by Mayor Latimer, the city lobbied state and federal governments for assistance in adopting a technology developed in Europe that could solve the heating problems of the city. Using the expertise of Hans Nyman, District Energy's first president, the system was designed to be as energy efficient as possible, be fuel flexible, and result in stable rates for its customers. All of which has been accomplished. In 1993, ten years after the successful startup of the district heating system, District Energy began offering district cooling service to downtown building owners. And ten years later, in 2003, District Energy became a "green" energy service provider following construction of an affiliated combined heat and power (CHP) plant that is fueled by a renewable resource—clean, urban wood waste. Using renewable energy, the CHP plant simultaneously produces about 65 megawatts of thermal energy for District Energy and 25 megawatts of electricity for Xcel Energy. It is the largest wood-fired CHP plant serving a district energy system in the nation. District Energy currently heats more than 185 buildings and 300 single-family homes (31.1 million square feet) and cools more than 95 buildings (18.8 million square feet) in downtown Saint Paul and adjacent areas. Its cooling system includes two chilled water storage tanks that hold 6.5 million gallons of water chilled at night, during off-peak electrical hours, for consumer use during the day. Customers enjoy stable rates, unsurpassed reliability and energy efficient heating and cooling service. In the district energy field, District Energy St. Paul is considered the most successful in the United States in terms of using renewable energy sources and energy conservation. Our VisionTo promote energy conservation, provide a high standard of customer service and to give careful attention to environmental concerns, long-term price stability and good corporate citizenship. Our MissionTo be the preferred provider of community energy services that benefit our customers, the community and the environment. Our Core ValuesConduct. We conduct our business with openness, fairness and integrity. We strive for innovation, creativity, learning, excellence and environmental stewardship in all that we do. Customers. We help our customers succeed. We provide exceptional service to our customers, meeting their requirements and exceeding their expectations. Work Environment. We provide a safe and healthy working environment that demonstrates dignity and mutual respect to everyone and enables employees to achieve personal and professional balance. Community. We are involved in the Saint Paul community, doing our part to help it thrive. |
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