CDEA News - December 15th, 2008

Message from the Chair

I would like to offer a few thoughts on the role of district energy in these uncertain economic times. As you will see in this newsletter, the theme for our next conference is "A Made in Canada Solution for Economic Security". There are many relevant messages in this theme. Investing in sustainable infrastructure in our Canadian communities results in local employment. Investing in energy efficiency acts as a hedge during turbulent times. Assuming Canada continues to advance its emissions agenda, investing in district energy could be the lowest cost option or the "low hanging fruit". The CDEA will continue to advocate for the support of Government as Canadian communities choose to move forward on district energy infrastructure investments during these challenging times.

Bruce Ander, Chair, CDEA

14th Annual Conference & Exhibition
District Energy: A Made in Canada Solution for Economic Security
June 17 - 19, 2009 Halifax, NS, Canada

Mark your calendars for CDEA's 14th Annual Conference & Exhibition! It will take place June 17- 19, 2009 in Halifax, Nova Scotia at the The Lord Nelson Hotel. Registration, exhibitor, and sponsorship information will be available on the CDEA website shortly!

View the conference flyer

District Energy News

Victoria Dockside Sets New World Record for LEED Sustainability RatingInternational Property Investment, July 2008
Dockside Green, a mixed-use residential and commercial real estate development in Victoria, British Columbia has received the world'™s highest rating for environmental sustainability for a new construction project through the Canada Green Building Council. The development uses a biomass gasification District Energy System utilizing wood-waste to create all heat energy and hot water.

Beyond Green Building - ReNew Canada, July 2008
When buildings and cities are properly designed, they can encourage and support a low-carbon, energy-efficient and prosperous lifestyle. Increasingly, communities in Canada are incorporating sustainable urbanization practices into planning activities: land uses that support higher density populations, localized energy generation, enhanced local ecosystem integrity (including the use of green infrastructure to minimize flooding), public transit and improved energy, water and material efficiency in the built environment. It makes sense, then, that cities would look at using community energy management strategies that incorporate district energy.

Buying into Biomass - The Steamboat Pilot & Today, July 2008
A quarter century ago, downtown St. Paul, Minn., formed an energy district that would provide heat and power through hot water. Today, District Energy St. Paul's customers pay less in real dollars than they did when the system was launched in 1983.

Vancouver's Olympic Village Converts Sewage to Energy - IDEA District Energy Magazine, Septemer 2008
The district energy system will utilize raw sewage to provide 70% of the space heating and domestic hot water requirements of Southeast False Creek and the Olympic Village.

Western Climate Initiative Releases Design Recommendations For its Regional Cap-and-Trade Program - Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, October 2008
On September 23, 2008, the Western Climate Initiative ("WCI") released its design recommendations for its North American market-based cap-and-trade system for greenhouse gas ("GHG") emissions ("Design Recommendations"). This WCI initiative is an important component of a comprehensive regional effort to reduce the pollution that causes global warming to 15% below 2005 levels by 2020.

Construction begins on Calgary Downtown District Energy Centre - ENMAX, September 2008
ENMAX Corporation is pleased to announce the start of construction on the Calgary Downtown District Energy Centre. The heat generating facility, located at 9th Avenue and 4th Street SE, is part of the multi-phase Calgary District Energy Project which will provide heating to up to 10 million square feet of new and existing downtown buildings through a network of underground insulated pipes.

What a gas! City wins cogeneration award - The Hamilton Spectator, October 2008
The city has nabbed an award for its cogeneration facility at the Woodward Avenue Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Grande Prairie City Council approved $6 million in funding for Aquatera'™s community energy system - Grand Prairie Daily Herald-Tribune, October 2008
The investment would be over three years, with $3 million in 2009 to provide heat to major buildings from a renewable source. Ald. Helen Rice, who voted in favour, said the project will benefit the entire community.

Forest industry could help battle climate change -“ New Brunswick Business Journal, September 2008
The Canadian forest industry can help governments battle the climate crisis by using biofuels and acting as carbon sinks, says provincial Natural Resources Minister Donald Arseneault.

Progress made on resurrecting Red Rock mill - Thunder Bay Source, August 2008
More progress is being reported in the effort to resurrect the Multiply Flooring Products Mill in Red Rock and it hinges on an application to build a co-generation plant and secure a wood fibre supply.

International District Energy Association 2008 Conference Calendar
100th Annual Conference & Trade Show œDistrict Energy/CHP 2009 Local Energy Global Solution June 28 - July 1, 2009 Hyatt Regency Crystal City, Arlington, Virginia.

DE Information

Membership fees from the participating countries of the International Energy Agency are used to perform R&D on relevant topics. Reports on the work that has been completed are now available.

The report titles are as shown:

Assessing the Actual Energy Efficiency of Building Scale Cooling Systems
Cost Benefits and Long Term Behaviour of new All-Plastic Piping Systems
District Heating Distribution in Areas with Low Heat Demand Density
Improved Cogeneration and Heat Utilization in DH Networks
New Materials and Constructions for Improving the Quality and Lifetime of District Heating Pipes - thermal, mechanical and environmental performance

These reports are on a protected CD available to members of the CDEA and other interested Canadians. To request a copy of the CD, please send an email to: Chris Snoek, csnoek@NRCan.gc.ca.