To What Extent Can District Heating Alleviate the Energy Crisis?.

District heating can save energy through combined production; it can burn coal. This is on condition that the unit dimensions of the systems are adequate, and that they are installed in areas of sufficient density: approximately 4000 inhabitants per square kilometre. About forty systems in provincial cities and extensive irrigation of the Paris conurbation would result in a saving of 1/2% of the primary energy consumed by the country, and burn 3,500,000 tons of coal a year. The cost would be high: 30,000 million francs. This should not be taken as a deterrent, and the subject is worth thorough profitability studies and optimisations.