Burlington Integrated Community Energy Systems Feasibility Study

The City of Burlington will conduct a feasibility study on integrated community energy systems (ICES) to reduce energy demand and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions throughout the city by identifying opportunities for renewable energy, district energy and cogeneration, waste heat capture, energy storage, and smart grid technologies. As a part of the study, they will consider potential locations for district energy systems, including the downtown core as well as identified mobility hubs and arterial corridors. In addition, the feasibility study will integrate QUEST’s six guiding principles: improve efficiency, optimize energy, manage heat, reduce waste, use renewable resources, and use power grids strategically. The study will be divided into two parts. In the first, consultants will review existing and future development in the city to identify ICES opportunities, which could be at an individual building, street block, neighbourhood or community level. Subject to the findings of Part 1, Part 2 of the study will lay out a detailed implementation and business plan and fuel sources for the priority projects recommended in Part 1. The completed feasibility study will include a triple bottom line cost benefit analysis of the preferred district energy project, a list of potential customers, and a framework for the necessary densities and uses based on future development. Due to its fixed urban boundary and mature phase of build-out, Burlington is beginning a long-term process of urban intensification that represents a significant opportunity from an energy standpoint to proactively drive efficiencies. Their approach goes beyond the simple district energy model to integrate ICES into community settings. The ICES Study Project is a first step action identified by the city's Partners for Climate Protection Community Energy Plan, which lays out a 20-year roadmap to improve the energy efficiency, energy security, and resilience of the community while increasing economic competiveness and reducing GHG emissions. Burlington’s participation in two communities of practice - Quality Urban Energy Systems of Tomorrow (QUEST) and the Clean Air Council - will provide valuable opportunities to share lessons learned through the feasibility study and eventual project implementation. (Project description from original funding application)