News Archives
Four New Customers Signed in 2005
October 2005
 Metro Public Library |
Metro DES is providing heating and cooling to two additional downtown buildings and is working to connect two more buildings currently being erected.
- The Schermerhorn Symphony Center was connected to the Energy Distribution System (EDS) on May 31.
- The Metro Public Library was connected with service for chilled water July 31 and for steam service on Aug. 1.
The Justice A.A. Birch Building construction is well under way and is coming along successfully. Construction included excavating a tunnel 5 ½ feet in diameter and approximately 330 feet long to accommodate the piping for this project. With that section complete, it is expected that the building will be connected to the EDS in early spring 2006.
The Viridian Tower construction is also on schedule, and the building is expected to be connected to the chilled water service around the same time next year.
DES is proud to be a part of these exciting projects and looks forward to providing new customers with the best possible service.
The Effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on Natural Gas Supplies and Costs
September 2005
In less than 30 days, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita wreaked havoc on the energy infrastructure in the Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas offshore Gulf Coast areas. In addition to damage incurred by onshore refining and processing facilities, the two storms ripped through vital production areas in the Gulf of Mexico. Numerous offshore producing and drilling platforms and natural gas and liquids pipelines used to transport offshore production to onshore handling facilities were damaged or destroyed.
The result: Offshore natural gas production has been reduced by approximately 8 billion cubic feet per day. This represents approximately 16 percent of all natural gas normally produced in North America and is enough to supply 80,000 average households for a full year. Early indications are that it will take some time for the industry to bring production back on track. Some of it will be lost forever. Energy prices, including natural gas, were on the rise before Katrina and Rita – now they are at an all-time high. Forward trade natural gas prices on the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) for this coming winter average in excess of $14 per million Btu, approximately 75 percent higher than prices being traded at the time DES prepared its fiscal year 2006 budget.
That’s the bad news. The good news is that, as a result of DES’ price risk-management program, we believe there will be no more than a minor increase, if at all, in DES’ overall gas costs during the year. DES has approximately 85 percent of its estimated natural gas requirements through the winter of 2005-06 hedged at an average price of about $8.30 per million Btu, an awfully good price compared to the current forward traded prices. However, the occurrence of the force majeure events may temporarily interrupt our ability to achieve our hedged price levels.
We will provide more details regarding natural gas supply and costs in our upcoming annual customer meeting. In the meantime, your continued efforts to conserve energy are critical. We appreciate your efforts.
Construction Updates
Summer 2005
The summer and fall seasons are proving to be busy for everyone involved with the Energy Distribution System (EDS) expansion. The following projects, currently under construction, will further expand the District Energy System's areas of service:
- The Gateway Boulevard expansion is coming along slowly but surely. After a small setback, paving is expected to begin in the fall.
- There are several projects proposed for 2006, including replacing the condensate lines to the Ryman Auditorium and from the Metro Courthouse back to Third Avenue.
- Construction will soon begin on the decoupling of the Tennessee Tower Building; the replacement of the outdated steam and condensate service lines to the Parkway Towers Building; and replacing the existing line at the State Library and Archives Building.
2006 International District Energy Association Conference to be Held in Nashville
August 2005
The 2006 International District Energy Association (IDEA) conference will be held in Nashville from June 11 to June 14, and local DES employees got a preview of what's in store for the city at the 2005 conference in St. Paul, Minn.
Several DES employees attended the 96th annual conference and enjoyed the sessions and activities that were available in the surrounding area.
The opening session, "Think Globally, Invest Locally: Recycle Energy," included an international panel of speakers representing district energy systems in Canada, China, France, South Korea, Sweden, and The United Arab Emirates. Each gave a presentation about district energy in their parts of the world and discussed strategies and visions for industry growth. The keynote speaker was Christine Todd Whitman, who served as administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from 2001 to 2003 and as governor of New Jersey from 1994 to 2001.
Vendor exhibits and evening receptions showcased the latest equipment and provided good opportunities for networking with peers. There were also technical tours to demonstrate how district energy is being used in the area. Outside of the IDEA conference, many different activities were offered to attendees, including the IDEA Annual Golf Tournament, a fishing trip, tours of the city and an antique car and hot rod show.
The next months leading up to the 2006 IDEA conference are going to be very exciting and busy, and DES is looking forward to preparing Nashville to host the conference and boast about its state-of-the-art EGF facility.
DES invests in upgrades to enhance reliable service
Summer 2005
In order to continue to provide the best and most reliable service to its customers, DES has undergone several upgrades and repairs since fall 2003 and will continue to do so into 2006. These upgrades include several steam and condensate line replacement projects, including one on Deaderick Street and one on Charlotte Avenue at the Andrew Jackson Building. DES also recently completed the replacement of an aging steel structure with a concrete structure to further ensure safe and reliable service to customers. In addition, there are ongoing projects to upgrade customer commodity metering in 29 of the buildings served by the Energy Distribution System. These upgrades are set to be completed early in 2006.
District Energy System Celebrates First Full Year of Operations
December 16, 2004
On December 16, 2004, the Metro Nashville District Energy System completed its first full year of operations. To commemorate this, a sculpture of the Shelby Street Bridge was presented to the Facility.
The Shelby Street Bridge, once a vehicle transportation link across the Cumberland River, was refurbished and rededicated as a pedestrian bridge in 2003. In the same way, Nashville in 2004 built a bridge in providing energy to its downtown district. The sculpture of the Shelby Street Bridge, crafted by Ed Gershman, Artisan in Metals, was made from materials recovered from the old Thermal Transfer plant and symbolizes the bridge to the new District Energy System.
DES Welcomes the Viridian Residential Tower
December 2004
On December 1, 2004, Metro Nashville and Davidson County signed a service agreement with Viridian Development Company, LLC to provide the new Viridian Residential Tower with chilled water to cool space within the building.
The Viridian Residential Tower, which is currently under construction and scheduled for completion in 2006, is located on the corner of 4th Avenue and Church Streets, in the heart of downtown Nashville. The 31-story high-rise, made of solid concrete construction and brilliant, viridian-colored glass, will contain 305 condo units.
Visit www.viridiannashville.com for more information on the new Viridian Residential Tower.
Thermal Comes Down to Make Way for New Downtown Construction
July 26, 2004
After 30 years, the Nashville Thermal Transfer Corporation (NTTC) facility was demolished to make way for new construction. The final step was the implosion of the cooling stack on July 26, 2004. There are already several bidders on the site. Each promising to bring its own unique characteristic to the already scenic architecture of Downtown Nashville.
The Nashville Sounds Minor League baseball team has proposed the construction of a new $43 million baseball stadium, including a residential and retail development, on the site.
View Images of Thermal Demolition
Links to Featured Articles
Area abuzz about waterfront's future as Thermal stack fell (The Tennessean - July 26, 2004)
Team began planning demolition of Thermal cooling stack months ago (The Tennessean - July 24, 2004)
Kaboom: Thermal stack goes (Nashville City Paper - July 23, 2004)
DES Now Operational
January 2004
The new Metro Nashville District Energy System (DES) is officially open for business. DES, which replaced the old Thermal plant as the source of heating and cooling for 40 downtown buildings, began operating in December 2003, seven months earlier than expected, and celebrated its grand opening on January 26.
“It’s remarkable to have completed construction seven months ahead of schedule, and our team deserves a great deal of credit for their accomplishments,” said Mayor Bill Purcell, who presided at the grand opening ceremony. “Today we celebrate the opening of our new district energy facility that will serve as a true catalyst for downtown economic development.”
The DES, located just south of the soon-to-be-completed Gateway Bridge at the corner of Peabody Street and Hermitage Avenue, pumps steam and chilled water through a five-mile series of underground pipes to downtown buildings. Its nine chillers and four boilers allow for ample expansion to accommodate many new customers, far beyond the capabilities of the Thermal plant.
Greater efficiency, lower electricity demand, a cleaner environment and a projected financial savings of $67 million for the city in its first 10 years of operation are just some of the benefits that the DES facility will provide to the Nashville community as a whole.
It’s an exciting time in Nashville - Feel the Energy!
December 2004
Nashville is transitioning from Thermal to the new energy plant much sooner than expected, and there’s still a lot to look forward to:
- Nashville is now home to one of the most modern, reliable district energy systems in the country;
- 40 downtown buildings now have a more efficient and reliable source for their steam and chilled water services;
- Those constructing new buildings downtown will have a new, state-of-the-art option for their heating and cooling needs;
- Valuable riverfront property currently occupied by the Thermal plant will soon be cleared for future redevelopment;
- Those currently operating buildings downtown who need to replace their self heating and cooling equipment also have a new, state-of-the-art option for their heating and cooling needs.
DES Welcomes The Schermerhorn Symphony Center
The Schermerhorn Symphony Center, currently under construction, will be connected to the Metro Nashville DES in 2005. Slated to open in September 2006, the 197,000-square-foot acoustical and design masterpiece will seat 1,900 and has signed up for a capacity of 4,200 pounds per hour in steam and 500 tons of chilled water to keep patrons comfortable year-round.
Click here for more information on the new Symphony Center.