The New York City steam system is a district heating system which takes steam produced by steam generating stations and carries it under the streets of Manhattan to heat and cool high rise buildings and businesses. Some New York businesses and facilities also use the steam for cleaning and disinfection.
The New York Steam Company began providing service in lower Manhattan on March 3, 1882. Today, Consolidated Edison operates the largest commercial steam system in the world. The organization within Con Edison that is responsible for the system's operation is known as Steam Operations, providing steam service to over 1,700 customers and serving commercial and residential establishments in Manhattan from Battery Park to 96th Street uptown on the West side and 89th Street on the East side of Manhattan. Roughly 24Â billion pounds (11,000,000Â t) of steam flow through the system every year.
Effects on the environment
Approximately 30% of the ConEd steam system’s installed capacity and 50% of the annual steam generated comes from cogeneration. Cogeneration and Heat Recovery Steam Generation (HRSG) significantly increase the fuel efficiency of cogenerated electricity and thereby reduces the emission of pollutants, such as NOx, sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, and particulate matter, and reduce the city's carbon footprint. Con Edison is promoting the use of steam for cooling in the summer months, something that can be accomplished with the installation of absorption chillers. Such trigeneration systems reduce peak electrical loads and save construction costs associated with expanding electrical infrastructure.
Clouds of condensation can sometimes be seen rising from manholes in Manhattan through orange and white "chimneys". This can be caused by external water being boiled by contact with the steam pipes or by leaks in the steam system itself.
At least 12 steam pipe explosions have occurred in New York City since 1987. The most recent incident was the 2007 New York City steam explosion. Another major incident occurred on June 28, 1996, at the plant on East 75th Street.
Plants
- East 74th Street Station (at FDR Drive) 40.7668749°N 73.9508952°W / 40.7668749; -73.9508952
- 60th Street Station (at York Ave.) 40.7598303°N 73.9589127°W / 40.7598303; -73.9589127
- 59th Street Station (at 11th Ave.) (IRT Powerhouse) 40.7689531°N 73.991624°W / 40.7689531; -73.991624
- East River Station (14th St. and FDR) (cogeneration) 40.7277782°N 73.9732059°W / 40.7277782; -73.9732059
- BNYCP Plant (Brooklyn Navy Yard Cogeneration Partners) (cogeneration) 40.699314°N 73.976086°W / 40.699314; -73.976086
- Ravenswood "A" House Steam Station (Queens) 40.7561804°N 73.9503086°W / 40.7561804; -73.9503086
See also
- Cogeneration
- District heating
- Holly Steam Combination Company
- 2007 New York City steam explosion
References
- Notes
External links
- Con Edison Steam Operations
- Con Ed History
- Gotham Gazette Article on Steam
- Why District Steam Heat Flopped in Gilded Age New York
