Volume 3 - Program & Project Ideas (PDF - 4.5 - Natural Life Network

Natural Resources Canada – Community Energy Systems
A.2 Community energy systems
A community energy system represents the most effective approach that a community
may take to manage its energy needs. The concept involves a network of energy users
and providers, trading energy needs through a physical network of hot water piping.
Energy users maybe residential, commercial or industrial and energy suppliers may
include anyone with excess or reject thermal energy. Examples might include: industry,
combined heat and power plants, solar collectors and municipal landfill sites.
- Case study: Vancouver
Central Heat Distribution Limited, a private sector operation in Vancouver began life in
1968 and is now in a prime position to take advantage of the high-density building boom
in downtown Vancouver. After 35 years of operation, the system now supplies 170
buildings, of which 60 are condominiums, 75 are offices and 15 or so are institutional.
Included in that list are the famous Steam Clock in Gastown, an excellent brewpub and
General Motors Place.
Even though this is a private undertaking there are very close ties with City Hall. Central
Heat is treated much like any other utility and charged a ‘franchise’ fee is charged
annually. In addition the City retains the right to undertake the street-based piping
installation at a rate of ‘cost plus 20%’. This is to ensure that the roads standards are
adhered to. In return, City Hall regularly consults with Central Heat regarding their citycentre
planning activities to ensure compatibility of new developments with the district
energy system. New businesses are also encouraged to establish in the area to take
advantage of the stabilized energy prices.
The locally owned and operated company provides the City planners with many benefits
– the elimination of multiple stacks and the maintenance of view corridors. Architects
benefit from increased flexibility of design – rooflines, etc. and building owners are quick
to realize the fiscal benefit of eliminating mechanical spaces as land prices increase. The
additional floor space is a major attraction.
For further information contact Central Heat Distribution – John Barnes, President Tel: (604)
688 9584
- Case study: Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen operates the largest district-heating grid in Europe. In 1993, an area
including 1.2 million inhabitants was supplied with district heating; 65 per cent of the
buildings were connected to the district-heating grid. The target was set for 95 per cent
connected to the grid by 2002. The district heating is almost exclusively produced
through cogeneration of heat and power.
• The city has the ability to achieve a 30 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions by
the year 2005.
Source: BUND for Environment and Nature Protection Germany. 1993. Vorbildliche kommunale
Energieprojekte in Europa. Translation and revision by ICLEI in 1996. ICLEI case study.
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