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RevRagnarok t1_isgi8eq wrote

In their defense, apparently some sections of Baltimore are still on distributed steam loops. TIL because I only had previously known about sections of NYC and Philly from walking over the steam leaks in the sidewalks in the winter.

> Veolia Energy, a successor of the 1887 Boston Heating Company, operates a 26-mile (42 km) district system in Boston and Cambridge, Massachusetts, and also operates systems in Philadelphia PA, Baltimore MD, Kansas City MO, Tulsa OK, Houston TX and other cities.

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wampuswrangler t1_ishwx8f wrote

I only learned about this recently as well, was unaware there is currently steam distribution in Baltimore. There's talk of reviving and expanding steam distribution in cities as a replacement for natural gas heating in an effort to reduce co2 emissions. Since steam is a byproduct of electricity generation and other industrial processes it is essentially a free source of heat that just needs to be piped and distributed across a city. It was commonplace 100 years ago, it would be cool to see it make a comeback.

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RevRagnarok t1_isj0u5z wrote

I actually read a good chunk of that article and the 5G concept is insane[ly awesome if viable]. Like a supermarket pumping heat into a loop to cool the groceries that a neighbor takes out to warm a building.

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wbruce098 t1_isj4jwq wrote

Pretty cool concept but they’d need to find a solution that isn’t just releasing steam into the streets. Sometimes driving through downtown, you can’t see the car in front of you. Fun times! (I know there’s a few in stacks on the sidewalk, though)

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wampuswrangler t1_isjwoks wrote

The nature if a distribution system would make that pretty hard, like asking for a water system that doesn't leak. But agreed, if something becomes a hazard with a steam leak then it should need to get fixed asap because steam can be dangerous.

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Natensity t1_ism93im wrote

I laughed about this post to my boyfriend and he told me these loops. I think his college campus had a similar system. TIL

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wbruce098 t1_isj4guv wrote

Oh, definitely could be! I see these steam vents everywhere but I’m from further south so I didn’t know what they were for! Thanks!

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