The Role of District Energy:
Greening Heating & Electricity Supply
Presented at: Building a Vision for Green Energy in British Columbia
Trent Berry, Partner, Compass Resource Management Ltd.
November 4, 2009
Questions
  Should our highest quality energy source (electricity) be used for our
lowest quality energy service (heat)?
  Are there better uses of green electricity in the near term then heating
(e.g., electrification of transportation)?
  Are some renewable resources better used for producing heat then for
producing electricity?
  Is there a role for combined heat and power in a green energy system
within B.C. and the western interconnection?
  Are there more efficient forms of electric heat?
Green Energy Dialogue, Role of District Energy, November 4, 2009, Page 2
Heating is a Large Source of GHG Emissions
20% of
stationary
combustion is
residential
heating.
Green Energy Dialogue, Role of District Energy, November 4, 2009, Page 3
What is District Energy?
Energy Centre(s)
Distribution System
District energy involves centralized approach to heating and
sometimes cooling, with or without cogeneration of electricity.
Neighbourhood energy utilities can also be developed around
distributed technologies.
Many possible technologies depending upon location and
application
Green Energy Dialogue, Role of District Energy, November 4, 2009, Page 4
Energy Transfer Stations
Building Hydronic HVAC
Penetration of District Energy
Source: International Association for District Heating, District
Cooling and Combined Heat & Power. Data from 2003.
Green Energy Dialogue, Role of District Energy, November 4, 2009, Page 5
Local Activity
Other B.C. Systems:
- Dockside Green
- Revelstoke,
- Whistler Athlete’s Village
- Prince George
-  Squamish
-  Sun Rivers
Green Energy Dialogue, Role of District Energy, November 4, 2009, Page 6
Today’s Value Propositions
  Reduce first costs / lifecycle costs
  Improve quality of service
  Improve environmental
performance (lower resource use
and GHG emissions)
  Reduced risk / increased flexibility
Green Energy Dialogue, Role of District Energy, November 4, 2009, Page 7
Gas and Electricity Savings
Biomass District Energy System
Green Energy Dialogue, Role of District Energy, November 4, 2009, Page 8
Gas and Electricity Savings
Heat Pump District Energy System
Green Energy Dialogue, Role of District Energy, November 4, 2009, Page 9
Flexibility
Swedish District Energy Growth and Fuel Sources (1970 – 2004)
Green Energy Dialogue, Role of District Energy, November 4, 2009, Page 10
Example: Southeast False Creek
~6.3 million square feet and 64,000 MW.h of annual heat demand
Sewer Heat recovery
$42 million in capital
25-Year Levelized Real Return on Investment = 5.7%
GHG Emission Reductions = ~4 – 8 kt / year (40 – 60%)
Green Energy Dialogue, Role of District Energy, November 4, 2009, Page 11
Example: Southeast False Creek
Green Energy Dialogue, Role of District Energy, November 4, 2009, Page 12