Posted by B.T.Bill on May 20, 2001 at 11:01:14:
In Reply to: FUTURE OF DISTRICT ENERGY posted by pbartlett on May 02, 2001 at 12:42:31:
: How do you feel about the impact on the boiler industry of the increased popularity of district energy?
: Do you see sustained future growth in this sector? Is there going to be consolidation or are small players going to remain? Who are the main players in this market?
: Regards,
: Pete
: If you expect to see growth in district energy don't hold you breath. All capital outlays by the big companies is being directed at power generation. Not only that, Every plant you try to build near someone's home is fought tooth and nail by some of the most rabid NIMBY's anymore. There is no reasoning with them with logic they only understand rhetoric. Case in point: chemical company wanted to build nat. gas cogen. and shut down ancient #6 oil boilers. You should have heard the outcry. Right now in the city of Camden NJ an injunction was just issued on a brand new cement plant. The state DEP was charged with racism in not taking into account the minority neighborhood. Brand new plant sitting idle, no taxes for the city or jobs for its people. You can bet no one will build anything there again. There are a few success stories though. Atlantic City has a thermal plant thats new serving the casinos and thats run by a division of the local utility. I believe an outfit in Philadelphia called Trigen has some thermal business. I don't know about sustaineed growth though. Your talking about huge capital outlay and long term contracts with lots of different building owners.