An initial feasibility study was performed to assess the attractiveness of using district heating and cooling in Des Moines, Iowa. A promising heat supply option is to recommission a mothballed 210 MW power plant located 4.5 miles (7.5 km) from downtown. The power plant would be retrofitted for cogeneration with capabilities that include meeting the complete 150 MW peak thermal load or producing 40 MW of electricity at a base thermal load. A high temperature hot water system would be used to deliver the thermal energy from the power plant to downtown. The loads in Des Moines are described and the technical and economic aspects of the district heating supply and distribution are discussed.

Units: Dual