A computer,-aided feasibility analysis, known as the District Energy System Analysis(DESA) was developed several years ago at Public Works Canada. Three manuals and the computer program are publicly available. DESA performs a financial and energy life cycle cost analysis as well as preliminary engineering design necessary for costing. DESA modules treat demand estimation, network sizing and costing, plant sizing and costing, financial and energy sensitivity analyses, and the consideration of the overall financial impact on the refuse management system when refuse is to be used as a fuel. Energy storage, hot water and steam as transport media, booster pumps, staged construction and load growth, metric and English units, and co-generation are available options. DESA capabilities and limitations are presented as well as descriptions of its application on several projects.