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IDEA Annual Conference & Trade Show Chicago, 29th June to 2nd July 2012

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Fibrelite will be exhibiting at the IDEA's 103rd Annual Conference & Trade Show Chicago, 29th June to 2nd July 2012

Since its founding in 1909, the IDEA has been "Informing, Connecting and Advancing" the global district energy industry. Today, there are over 1,400 IDEA members from 21 different countries.

Extract from District Energy Factsheet...

What is District Energy?

District energy systems are a highly efficient way to heat and cool many buildings in a given locale from a central plant. They use a network of underground pipes to pump steam, hot water, and/or chilled water to multiple buildings in an area such as a downtown district, college or hospital campus, airport, or military base. Providing heating and cooling from a central plant requires less fuel and displaces the need to install separate space heating and cooling and hot water systems in each building.

The sources of thermal energy distributed by district energy systems vary. Often, district energy systems are connected to combined heat and power (CHP) plants. Also known as cogeneration plants, CHP plants generate electric power in addition to heating and cooling, and can achieve energy efficiencies above 80 percent. (This is far more efficient than a conventional power‐only plant, which exhausts two‐thirds of the energy content of its fuel as heat into oceans, rivers, and/or the atmosphere.)

Other sources of thermal energy include "waste" heat from industrial processes, coal‐ or gas‐fired boilers, and renewable energy such as geothermal, hydrothermal, solar thermal, biogas, municipal solid waste, or other types of biomass.

District energy systems that were built on college campuses and in central cities many decades ago were usually powered by fossil fuels. The majority of district energy systems being built today run on natural gas, but many take advantage of locally‐produced renewable fuels.

According to the International District Energy Association, there are more than 700 district energy systems in the United States (including at least one system in every state), some of which date back to the 1800s. But there are many more locations where district energy would be appropriate and hundreds of district energy systems with expansion potential. District energy helps communities reduce their operating costs and keep more energy dollars local by reducing their need to import fuel for heating and cooling.

For more information on the IDEA visit www.districtenergy.org

Today, Fibrelite is established as a leading player in this specialist field, with a global reputation for high quality products and superior after sales service.

The advantages of fibre reinforced composite manhole covers

Traditional metal covers can create health & safety hazards for both the general public and company employees. The thermal gradient properties of composite significantly reduce heat transfer from a steam vault to the surface of the cover. The same properties also mean that the cover will take much longer to heat up when subjected to a simple heat source such as direct sunlight. Both these facts will eliminate the risk of skin burns to the general public. From an operational perspective, the lightweight nature of composite will also facilitate easy removal and replacement of the cover without compromising on strength.

Contact Jo Stott on +44 (0) 1765 799 773 for more information.

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