Describes a few examples of the use of solar energy and energy storage in community-wide systems (Lyckebo, Sweden, Kerava, Finland), the use of natural gas in district heating and cooling (DHC) (Lappenranta and Lahti, Finland), and applications of heat pump utilisation in DHC (Uppsala waste water and Stockholm preheat system in Sweden). Some projections are made of several alternative fuels derived from biomass, recycling, and other possible technologies in the future development of waste-handling and DHC systems. A brief discussion is included regarding the environmental concerns and legislative development in the US and elsewhere in the world.

KEYWORDS: year 1996, energy sources, biomass, recycling, district heating, district cooling, solar energy, energy storage, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, geothermal energy, natural gas, USA, legislation, waste water, combined heat and power