ABSTRACT
Energy generation and use are highly debated topics in the world today. While many countries are taking steps to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels, the rate of conversion to renewable energy sources will likely not meet standards set by international agreements such as the Paris Agreement (Agreement, 2015). When a central source is generating heat for an entire neighborhood or region, this is referred to as “district heating.” The source can be solar, wind, geothermal or natural gas, to name a few. The advantages of such systems include the cost savings that they offer to each user; their energy efficiency; and their low carbon footprint. This chapter discusses principles of district heating and references their innovative implementation in several communities. It also explores waste disposal systems and methods for improving the sustainability of waste collection; and ends with a description of the Hammarby Sjöstad neighborhood in Stockholm, Sweden that illustrates the above principles.
