In message , J G Miller
writes
On Wednesday, October 7th, 2009 08:52:16 +0100, Tim Lamb suggested:

Using waste heat for space heating only works if you have generating
plant in the middle of towns and you don't have warm summers:-)

Metz, Lorraine has warm (compared to England) summers and the CHP there,
one of the oldest in France has worked efficiently and successfully.

http://www.uem-metz.FR/site/_activites_chauffage.php

In 2005 UEM added a second network of 15 km and 88 sub-stations,
with 300 clients.

My schoolboy French was stretched until I found the translate button:-)

They don't mention overall efficiency either Winter or Summer but I note
hot water is available for bathing etc.

regards

--
Tim Lamb