Building resiliency: Burlington community energy

NRU
Feb. 22, 2017
By Leah Wong

Burlington is studying the feasibility of introducing a district energy system in its downtown as a way to improve resiliency in the face of climate change and reduce the city’s carbon footprint.

Staff and consultants FVB Energy will present a highlevel business case for a district energy system at the February 27 committee of the whole meeting. Staff is recommending that council request further
analysis on the financing and business structure of the system.

Burlington senior sustainability coordinator Lynn Robichaud told NRU that this additional analysis would provide council with the information necessary to make a decision about whether district energy makes sense in Burlington.

In 2014 Burlington council endorsed a community energy plan and the 55 actions required to implement it over the next 20 years. The goal of the plan, which was developed in partnership with Burlington Hydro, is to improve the energy efficiency of buildings in Burlington and generate sustainable local energy.

Assessing the feasibility of a district energy system was one of the plan’s actions. Staff is analyzing the potential for a system in the downtown core, which would include two city-owned buildings - city hall and the Burlington Arts Performing Centre.

“The downtown is really active with development, and new development applications are coming in - a new one just came in for a condo tower across from city hall,” said Robichaud. “We know there is lots of opportunity for infill and intensification in the downtown. We thought that was the best place to start.”

Creating a successful district energy system in the downtown would demonstrate the business case for other systems. Robichaud said there may be opportunities for the city to introduce district energy systems around its mobility hubs.

“The issue is ensuring we plan it in a way that makes sense [from a business perspective] and not just for environmental reasons. There’s got to be a business case for it.” Introducing a district energy system would also work towards Burlington council’s long-term goal of becoming carbon neutral.

“If we can get the thermal energy district network in place, [we can] start small and then grow it,” said Robichaud. “Having that thermal network will provide us the opportunity to look at fuel switching...and using more renewable energy in the future.”

There are also economic development benefits to the district energy system. While it provides a secure energy system for local buildings, it frees up space that would otherwise be used for mechanical rooms and HVAC systems.

If council approves the next phase of work, Robichaud said staff will investigate the experience of other municipalities that have already implemented district energy plans so that Burlington can learn from their experiences and explore opportunities for partnerships.