The presence of a distributed energy system can act as a valuable catalyst for property development as well as for improvement of plant economics, thereby enhancing the value of the property or asset.

In many cases, a combined heat and power (CHP) system can add to the central plant's strategic value. A CHP unit can "distribute" electric power to customers that may require such power for "peak shaving," for energy security, or simply to reduce costs. The waste heat from the power plant is used to replace or supplement the steam generated by the conventional boilers, or power other energy systems.

These CHP systems can be combined with equipment, such as steam driven chillers, ice or energy storage, to eliminate or reduce the System's reliance on electric power. The CHP district energy systems configured in manner are referred to as integrated distributed energy (IDE) systems.

New technological developments are making other forms of "alternative energy" much more feasible for commercial application. Wind, solar, and biomass technologies, if appropriate, may provide both efficient and reliable sources of energy.