District energy systems (DES) have the promise of significantly impacting GHG emission reductions by improving energy efficiency when it comes to heating and cooling residential, commercial and other public space and by being able to readily utilize alternative renewable energy supply to do so. CIEEDAC data indicates that, while natural gas is the primary source of energy for DES, nearly a third of reporting facilities use geothermal, biomass, solar or other forms of renewable or recovered heat to provide district energy services.
As part of the continuing development of data on DES in Canada, CIEEDAC doubled its efforts in expanding the database by revamping its survey tool and completing a more in depth search of existing and upcoming DES in each of the provinces. So far, the results are positive.
Over 195 sites were flagged as being DES facilities. While about a dozen responded to inquiries in the negative (i.e., they are not DES), we have confirmed that at least 146 of them are. Over half of these known facilities have provided CIEEDAC with data on their operations and some data are still trickling in. These data will be aggregated and assessed and then undergo an analysis on a number of fronts including energy use, GHG offsets and investment strategies.
CIEEDAC is pleased with this progress and expressed hopes to release the aggregated data and the accompanying report in the near future.
— The Canadian Industrial Energy End-Use Data and Analysis Centre (CIEEDAC)