|
Chronological List of District Heating
Systems in the United States |
Hibbing built a district
steam system that began operating in 1910 and has been expanded and
maintained.
References
1911 "City's
Central Heating Plant," The Duluth Herald, February 25,
1911, Page 10.
First in Northwest, and Has Been Satisfactory and Economical
Eveleth has a central heating plant, the only one in operation on the
range, and the first to be established in the Northwest. The success of
this plant has been such that a similar system has been adopted by Hibbing.
For the present the service in Eveleth is confined to the closely built-up
business section of the city, although many in the residence districts are
seeking the service.
The central heating plant is serving a considerable portion of Grant
avenue, the main business thoroughfare, which is two blocks from the
plant. A two-pipe system is used, similar to that for hot water. On the
return main is carried a 10-inch vacuum and on the steam main there is
one-pound pressure. The steam and air and condensation Is drawn through
the radiators for heating and is then returned to the central plant. All
the consumer has to do is to regulate the temperature. To reduce or
increase the heat he has only to partially close or open the valve on the
radiator.
Eveleth people are enthusiastic over their heating system, which has been
in use two winters. The users say that the saving over individual heaters
enables them in two or three years to reimburse themselves for the cost of
installing the new system. Many more applications are on file for the heat
than can be filled. All of the users talked to by the writer agreed that
It is the most satisfactory and economical heating plant so far devised.
About a dozen applications have recently been made for an extension of the
heating system to the residence section. Residents want the steam mains
extended. At the present time, however, the day load at the electric light
plant, from which the heating system Is operated, Is not sufficient to
handle any more heating business.
For this reason the lighting and heating company has decided to offer
special inducements to manufacturers and to make low rates for electric
power during the day in order to supply more heat through an increase in
the electric load and consequent increase in exhaust steam.
Originally, it was expected to furnish heat from the central plant by
using the exhaust steam from the engines generating electricity. As it is,
the company Is compelled to supply live steam for about eighteen hours out
of the twenty-four. By increasing the electric load in the daytime to
individual horse power users the company will be enabled to use the
exhaust steam as well and thus increase its heating service, which would
be a distinct benefit to the city.
A reduction has been made of from 15 to 20 per cent in the prices of
electric current to domestic consumers between midnight and 6 p. m., to
encourage electric cooking and so augment the day load of electricity and
the supply of exhaust steam for heating. From sundown to midnight the
electric load is ample to meet all de-mands that may bo made for exhaust
steam for the heating plant.
No matter how cold It may be these days in Eveleth the fortunate users of
heat from the central plant do not have to get up nights to keep the heat
supply up to the standard, nor do they have to get up In very cold rooms
mornings or start business in frigid stores. The central heating plant is
one of those modern luxuries made possible by the combination of a large
number of consumers, who get better service at a lower cost, besides
eliminating much labor and discomfort.
It will be seen from the foregoing facts that Eveleth has a progressive
management for its lighting and heating plant, which makes each branch of
its service to supplement and help the other. It is certainly an
up-to-date management which does not allow even its exhaust steam to go to
waste. Eveleth has reason to be proud of its Home Electric and Heating
company, which is setting a pace for older and larger cities to follow.
1917 "Hibbing
Heat to Cost More," The Duluth Herald, September 27, 1917,
Page 11.
Hibbing, Minn., Sept. 27. —More. (Special to The Herald.) —The high cost
of fuel and its probable scarcity will hit the consumers using city heat.
At a meeting of the water and light board last evening the members decided
to change the means of supplying heat from the flat rate to the meter
rate. The change will become effective on Oct. 1 and will affect many in
Hibbing, especially in the north end of the city.
1985 "District
Heating in Minnesota," by Tom Hughes, Minnesota Cities
70(12):8,9 (December 1985)
Page 9: Hibbing. With a well-maintained steam district heating
system already serving 1,500 customers, Hibbing Public Utilities looked at
expanding into other areas of the city. As a result of its study, the
utility decided to provide district heating to the Hibbing Campus of
Arrowhead Community College and several residences near the college. These
customers connected to the system this summer. District heating may also
serve a 180-acre industrial park that the IRR RB and the city are
currently developing .
2022 "Celebrating
a Century of Public," Mesabi Tribune, November 6, 2022
On November 10, 2022, the public is invited to take part in a very special
celebration.
It was 102 years ago that the boilers at the “New Hibbing” power plant
were fired up to begin producing electricity and steam for the community.
Now, in 2022, the past is being honored and the future is being welcomed.
The November 10 ceremony will take place outside of the Public Utilities
building on 19th Street and 6th Avenue. Beginning at 3:00, the Hibbing
City Band will get the festivities started. Aaron Brown, college
instructor and writer, will serve as master of ceremonies and keynote
speaker. A number of dignitaries will be present to say a few words.
Sunrise Bakery cake will be served and there will be tours of the power
plant.
Today, the Hibbing Public Utilities provides electricity to about 7,000
customers, steam to about 1,000, natural gas to about 5,000 and water to
about 6,000. And, today, a variety of fuels can be used by the plant to
generate power, including wood, gas, and coal.
Hibbing
Public Utilities - Our Full History
A steam heating system was installed in 1919-20 and served buildings on
both sides of Howard Street from Sixth Avenue to Josephine Street, by
bleeding exhaust steam from new turbines at the power plant.
1980: The steam distribution system delivered more than 340 million pounds
of steam to consumers over seventeen miles of steam lines. The Public
Utilities Commission delivered 105 million kilowatt hours to its customers
over 84 miles of electric line.
1982: The HPU and Hibbing’s Independent School District 701 signed an
agreement where the Utility would replace, renovate, and assume ownership
of the school district’s existing steam distribution system and provide
steam heat to four of its buildings.
1986: A district steam line was constructed to the Community College and
St. Louis County Garage.
A district heating study was completed for a long range master plan.
© 2026 Morris A. Pierce