CDEA News – January 2010

Message from the Chair

As the industry basks in the glow of how district energy was represented at COP15 in Copenhagen, and as we look with anticipation towards 2010, on behalf of the Board of Directors I am pleased to announce the appointment of Mary Ellen Richardson to the position of Acting President for the Canadian District Energy Association. 

Mary Ellen has had a long and distinguished career in the Canadian energy sector.   For the past four years she has held various senior positions at the Ontario Power Authority and most recently, Executive Advisor, Office of the CEO.   Prior to her career at the OPA, Mary Ellen held the position of President for the Association of Major Power Consumers of Ontario.   

Over the coming months Mary Ellen will help to recast the CDEA’s strategic vision and work with our Board and members to advance our mission as an organization and the cause of district energy in Canada.  When you have an opportunity, please welcome Mary Ellen to the CDEA.

Bruce Ander,

Chair, CDEA

Message from the Acting President

Dear CDEA members:

The theme of our 2010 conference is “District Energy: Now’s the Time!”   I am delighted to be joining you at this exciting time in the district energy industry.

There is definitely a growing awareness—at all levels of government—of the necessity for integrated community energy planning, design and operation.  DE has become known as one of the few ways that we can meet important economic and environmental goals, while maintaining our standard of living.  This growing awareness is a perfect foundation for action by your industry and by your industry’s association. 

The CDEA is committed to being the leading voice promoting district energy as the most reliable, environmental and economic solution for Canadian energy consumers.  To lead, we must first create a common understanding of who we are speaking to, and what we need to say to maximize the effect of our efforts.  To this end, the CDEA has commissioned me to help refresh its Strategic Vision, advocacy plans and member services plans.  This effort will culminate in a report to the Board of Directors, at the end of the first quarter of 2010.  The Board will then decide what actions to pursue. 

Indeed, now is a great time to support the growing public need and desire to move forward on Integrated Energy Solutions. I look forward to meeting you over the next few months, and to supporting the work that you do. 

Mary Ellen Richardson

Acting President, CDEA

Click here to view Mary Ellen’s short biography.

15th Annual Conference & Exhibition -

District Energy: Now's the Time! 

The CDEA is proud to announce our 15^th Annual Conference and Exhibition to take place in the City of North Vancouver, BC, June 23 – 25, at the Pinnacle at the Pier Hotel.  For conference information, program ideas, sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities visit our conference event page.   

Register today to take advantage of early-bird pricing and save up to $100 on your conference pass!

Call for Posters and Abstracts - We Want to Know about your DE projects and new technologies!

We're giving our members the opportunity to submit a one page abstract to be considered either for inclusion in a conference panel or a poster at the exhibition. To take advantage of this opportunity, please email a one page abstract of your District Energy project or new technology and any project-related information (maximum of 4 pdf pages) to cdea@canurb.com by March 1, 2010. 

District Energy News

VIDEO: United Nations COP 15 Closing Press Briefing – COP 15, December 2009

Briefing the press at the end of the two-week conference, Yvo de Boer said an accord has been reached that has significant elements, but that is not legally binding. Watch the video to find out the results of the COP15 climate summit. 

VIDEO: Building Sustainable Communities: The Danish Experience – Electricity Distributors Association

Denmark is a leader in the field of renewable energy, distributed generation, smart grid development and sustainable communities. We learned how the Danish energy industry overcame some of the obstacles we face today in Ontario, such as the intermittency of wind and solar energy and the “not-in-my-backyard” attitude of many consumers.

New! Corix Utilities has an exciting opening for a General Manager to be responsible for the Regent Park Community Energy System (RPCES) in Downtown Toronto. Click here to learn more about this job opportunity.

Federal Gas Tax Funding Supports Green Energy in False Creek – City of Vancouver, January 2010

The Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of State (Sport), Margaret MacDiarmid, MLA for Vancouver-Fairview, Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson, and Marvin Hunt, Surrey City Councillor and member of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ National Board of Directors, today ‘flipped the switch’ on the City’s first renewable district heating system. The $30 million system, which uses energy created from wastewater, will heat the Olympic Village and keep 2,800 athletes and officials warm during the 2010 Winter Games.

Olympic Village district heating system should be replicated across Canada, mayor says – Straight Talk, January 2010

As Mayor Gregor Robertson unveiled the False Creek Neighbourhood Energy Utility today (January 14), he declared its model should be replicated elsewhere. All levels of government contributed to what is being called Vancouver’s first renewable district heating system, which is recovering heat from untreated wastewater to power the Olympic Village

FCM’s Green Municipal Fund commits $145,750 to feasibility study of Guelph’s district energy system – Municipal Information Network, January 2010.

Basil Stewart, president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and mayor of Summerside, P.E.I., and Natural Resources Minister Lisa Raitt today announced a Green Municipal Fund™ (GMF) grant of $145,750 to study the feasibility of a district energy system in Guelph, designed to provide heating, cooling and electricity at three sites: the Guelph General Hospital, the downtown core and with a link to the University of Guelph.

The Heat Under our Feet – The COP15 Post, December 2009

There is an overnight solution when it comes to reducing fossil fuel use. It is called district heating, and it is already saving Scandinavians 30 per cent on their CO2 emissions.

U.S. Announcement of Help to Developing Countries to Address Climate Change Notable As Cop Nears End – Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, December 2009

“In the context of a strong accord in which all major economies stand behind meaningful mitigation actions and provide full transparency as to their implementation, the United States is prepared to work with other countries toward a goal of jointly mobilizing $100 billion a year by 2020 to address the climate change needs of developing countries…”

Ontario Government Introduces - Energy Consumer Protection Act – Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, December 2009

On December 8, 2009, the Ontario Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Gerry Phillips, introduced the Energy Consumer Protection Act, 2009, (“Bill 235”) that would amend several statutes, including the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998, The Electricity Act, 1998, The Consumer Protection Act, 2002 and the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006.

Why Waste the Heat? – International District Energy Association Media Release, December 2009

“Now is the time for government leaders and policy makers to recognize the importance of thermal energy and learn how recovery of waste heat through combined heat and power can cut emissions, conserve fuel and stimulate economic growth…” Find out more.

Message for COP15: 180 Experts from 27 Countries Agree that District Heating and Cooling is the Key to Sustainability – Energy Map, November 2009

The consensus among the participants of the first Global District Energy Summit that took place on November 3rd, 2009, is that district energy, and district heating and cooling should be a natural part of the urban infrastructure in any modern, climate friendly urban area…

Fort Chicago: Featured London Company – London Economic Development Corporation, November 2009

Fort Chicago London District Energy was announced as the next recipient of London's Featured Company Award presented by the London Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) and the City of London.

Cleaning the stuff that comes through the sewer system into the Kelowna Wastewater Treatment Facility takes a lot of energy and produces a lot of heat.

Ontario’s Renewable Energy - Approval Regulations Now in Force – Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, October 2009

Over the month of September, 2009, the government of Ontario introduced a total of 16 regulations under the Green Energy and Green Economy Act, 2009 (“GEA”). Spanning a wide range of renewable energy issues and affecting 9 separate pieces of legislation, the new regulations form an integral part of the Ontario Government’s plan to facilitate investment and create jobs in the green economy by making it easier to generate and sell renewable energy.

East Gwillimbury Energized by Energy Program – York Region, October 2009

As a way to curb municipal GHG emissions and build a more energy efficient town, East Gwillimbury is putting energy in the ground. The town wants to develop a district energy system for future homes and businesses as part of the ongoing community energy plan…

Waterfront Toronto Achieves LEED Gold for Neighbourhood Plans – News Wire, September 2009

In addition to requiring LEED Gold certification as the new standard on all new buildings, Waterfront Toronto is also employing a transit first approach, meaning that when the first new residents and businesses move in, communities will be served by public transit that is within five minutes of their premises. To reduce the cost of energy, lower air emissions and improve air quality, communities will also utilize district energy for their heating and cooling needs.