District Energy - 2008 Third Quarter

The First 25 Years:

Looking back, but eyeing the future

The International District Energy Association is proud to begin celebrating its 100th anniversary year. In each issue of District Energy magazine during this year we will dedicate space to taking a look at the past 100 years of informing,

connecting and advancing the industry. This issue’s focus is the early years – 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.

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 detail on IDEA’s history (written to mark the 90th anniversary), visit www.districtenergy.org/idea_ history.htm.)] The association’s magazine began quarterly publication as “The Bulletin of the National District Heating Association” in 1915.

NDHA 1909-1934 Presidents (now known as chairs) hailed from: Baltimore, Md. – 1x Peoria, Ill. – 1x Boston, Mass. – 1x Philadelphia, Pa. – 1x Chicago, Ill. – 4x Pittsburgh, Pa. – 2x Detroit, Mich. – 4x Rochester, N. Y. – 3x Grand Rapids, Mich. – 2x St. Louis, Mo. – 1x New York, N. Y. – 4x Toledo, Ohio – 1x

Annual conference locations:

Atlantic City, N.J. – 1x New York, N. Y. – 2x Boston, Mass. – 1x Niagara Falls, N. Y. – 1x Cedar Point, Ohio – 3x Pittsburgh, Pa. – 3x Chicago, Ill. – 3x Rochester, N. Y. – 2x Columbus, Ohio – 1 St. Louis, Mo. – 1x Detroit, Mich. – 3x Toledo, Ohio – 1x Indianapolis, Ind. – 1x West Baden, Ind. – 2x

Industry Frontrunners

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

that drove the meeting location.

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.

IDEA Archives

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.