District Energy
FortisBC Gas and the City of Kelowna have entered into an agreement in principle to develop two unique renewable energy systems in Kelowna valued at $22-million and $16-million respectively. The FortisBC-owned and operated district energy systems will help the City reduce its energy use and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
The two systesm include:
- Kelowna City Centre Energy System
- Kelowna South Pandosy Energy System
The two district energy systems will use waste heat and water from the City’s wastewater treatment plant and from Sun-Rype Products Ltd., with other project collaborators providing energy to heat or cool a number of buildings in Kelowna. The new infrastructure will be put in place over the next decade. According to the City of Kelowna’s January 2010 pre-feasibility study, both projects combined could also have the potential to save 16,300 tonnes of CO2 per year – equivalent to removing approximately over 3,500 cars from the road annually.
News Release - Sept 30, 2010
Exploring District Energy
In October 2009, the City of Kelowna began exploring the possibility of district energy systems with local businesses. Four high density urban centres are identified as potential sites for district energy:
- City Centre
- South Pandosy
- Highway/Orchard Park
- Rutland
See the Prefeasibility Study
News Release - Nov 9, 2009
News: kelowna.com
News: Daily Courier
Distict Energy
District energy is a system that provides heat and/or cooling to more than one building. In Kelowna, a district energy system could include:
- hot water to heat space and water in buildings
- using the temperature differences in renewable source from water (lake, waste heat in water from industry and wastewater treatment plant) or earth (geo-exchange)
- using heat pumps to augment the temperatures
- possible natural gas or other combustion for peaking
A Renewable District Heat workshop was held with technical experts and stakeholders on October 8, 2009 and a public open house on November 10, 2009. Download the Workshop Presentation and Open House panels.