South Loop (formerly Airport South) District Energy

Image of District Energy heating and cooling
Graphic of District Energy heating and cooling cycle. Source: International District Energy Association

Sustainability is a key organizing principle of the South Loop District Plan.

A major component of sustainability is energy production and its efficient use. Future development will be dependent on energy that provides both environmental and economical benefits to future users. Energy efficiency and conservation strategies implemented on-site and off-site will be a basis in attaining the South Loop District Plan vision.

District Energy systems supply efficiently produced energy to multiple users. An example of a modern district energy system is one that burns renewable fuels (such as wood or biomass) to heat water, which is then distributed to buildings for space heating. This is a proven technology that is in use in the United States and internationally.

A District Energy system is an alternative that can meet the following objectives:

increase the efficient use of energy,
result in the reduction of greenhouse gas emission,
allow for fuel flexibility including renewable sources such as biomass, and
stabilize and reduce fuel and equipment costs for business owners.

These potential benefits are important in meeting environmental goals, providing a reliable and efficient source of energy, and can be a stimulus for urban growth and development.

The City estimates that an additional 15 million square feet of development will occur in the South Loop District over the next 40 years. This accounts for two-thirds of City's future development potential. The development densities anticipated in the South Loop District will approach those of a typical downtown. Development density is a major requisite in District Energy feasibility.

Per City Council approval on June 22, 2009, Bloomington submitted an application for a feasibility study through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG). EECBG was funded by the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. The application has since been approved and the City is seeking a qualified consultant to conduct a feasibility study.

The International District Energy Association has produced a video that provides a good graphical overview. The video is located on this page: http://www.districtenergy.org/what-is-district-energy.

Staff presented a District Energy overview (2.28MB, 38-page PDF) to the City Council and Port Authority in mid-2009.

The City received eight proposals for the District Energy RFP on January 8, 2010. Staff from the City and the Metropolitan Airports Commission recommended to Bloomington's City Council that the team of Stanley Consultants, Ever-Green Energy, and RMF conduct the study. The City Council approved this recommendation at their meeting on March 22, 2010.

For more information, contact:

Schane Rudlang
City of Bloomington
PH: 952-563-4861, FAX: 952-563-4868
E-mail: srudlang@ci.bloomington.mn.us