The document discusses strategies for re-energizing urban environments through high-performance building systems and district energy solutions, emphasizing the importance of converting existing systems into low-carbon district energy frameworks. It outlines the technical aspects and benefits of using ambient temperature district energy systems, along with considerations for policy and community engagement. The integration of renewable energy sources and supportive government policies are highlighted as essential for successful implementation.

1. Re-Energizing our Cities
From district to specific
Dave Ramslie & Gerry Faubert
Integral Group
October 03, 2013

2. A Point in History…

3. High Performance Urban Buildings

4. Energy and GHG savings at scale







Fuel switch on existing systems
New brownfield DE systems
Near net-zero building
Deep green retrofit
LEED Gold Building
Typical retrofit
Retro-commissioning
= 35-85,000 t
= 7-15,000 t
= 200t
= 50-75t
= 30-50t
= 30-40t
= 20-30t

5. Going District Scale
How do we:
 Build new cost effective systems?
 Have competitive utility rates?
 Connect existing loads?
 With natural gas at an all time low?

6. Use Existing Infrastructure:

7. Conversion of DFPS to Ambient DES

8. Stage 1 – B&H Site Connected to ATDFPS
ATDFPS






Convert DFPS into Ambient
Temp DES or “ATDFPS”
Build Central Plant on
adjacent site
Connect B&H to ATDFPS
B&H peak heating demand
2.5MW
ATDFPS intrinsic geoexchange heating capacity
1.6MW with heat pump
Supplemental heating by
condensing Nat. Gas boilers

9. “Ambient Loop” District Energy Concept




DFPS converted into “Ambient
Temperature” (5 -15C) district energy
system serving majority of Downtown
New Energy Centre pump station converts
existing stagnant DFPS loop into thermal
distribution system
Combined with distributed building level
heat pump H&C plants
Combined with distributed “low-grade”
thermal energy sources

10. DFPS/Ambient Loop DES Concept Schematic
DFPS / AMBIENT LOOP DES 600mm DIAMETER

11. Ambient Loop Demand & Temperature Profile

Net heat extraction/ heat rejection from/ into Ambient Loop at Phase 1
Ambient Loop temperature profile with 1.5 MW low-grade heat source

SHR @ 8C dT, 45 l/s or Ocean Loop @ 4C dT, 90 l/s
20
Ambient Loop Demand & Temperature Profile at Phase 1
18
4000
3000
16
2000
14
1000
12
Degrre C

10
0
8
-1000
6
-2000
4
-3000
2
0
Fri,
01/Jan
-4000
Tue,
26/Jan
Sat,
Wed,
Sun,
20/Feb 17/Mar 11/Apr
Thu,
06/Ma
y
Mon,
31/Ma
y
Fri,
25/Jun
Tue,
20/Jul
Sat,
Wed,
Sun,
Thu,
Mon,
Fri,
14/Aug 08/Sep 03/Oct 28/Oct 22/Nov 17/Dec

12. Performance Engineering – Canmet Lab@ MIP




Innovative Partnership
Hybrid DES
Geoexchange
Solar Thermal & PV

13. Making These Systems Work
Load
Certainty
Developer
“Buy-In”
Load
Density
District
Energy
Supportive
Civic
Government
Supportive
Policy
Load
Diversity
Patient
Capital

14. Policy Considerations






Mandatory Connection Areas?
“DE Ready” requirements
DE feasibility requirements
DE “Franchise Areas”
Low Carbon Bridging Strategies
Green Building Policy

15. SEFC Neighbourhood Energy Utility


Mandatory Connection
Green Building Policy Amendments

16. The River District

Low Carbon Bridging Strategies

17. Cambie Street Corridor




“DE Ready” requirements
DE feasibility requirements
DE “Franchise Areas”
Low Carbon Bridging
Strategies

18. Central Heat Biomass Conversion


Green Building Policy Amendments
Mandatory Connection requirements

19. Thank you!
dramslie@integral-group.ca
gfaubert@integral-group.ca
October 03, 2013