Comox’s Path to Near Net Zero

The Town of Comox will complete a study on integrating energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions into near- to long-term plans for managing community buildings. Seven municipality owned buildings are to be part of the study, including, amongst others, the library, community centre, fire hall, council chamber and seniors centre. Systems and measures to be targeted include heating, ventilation and air conditioning units, hot water units, lighting systems, optimization-control systems, and solar panel units. The study will examine two scenarios: a ‘’minimum performance” scenario for achieving at least a 50% reduction in on-site GHG emissions within 10 years and an 80% reduction in on-site GHG emissions within 20 years; and a “short-term deep retrofit” scenario for achieving an 80% reduction in on-site GHG emissions within five years.

Potential outcomes of this study include the following: a reduction in energy consumption by 30% (or greater) from the 2019 baseline; a reduction in natural gas GHG emissions by 93% and electric GHG emissions by 24%; the production of on-site renewable energy; and a reduction in water consumption by 20–30%. The project is also expected to generate positive economic benefits like lowering the cost of ownership for the municipality and creating local jobs and skills. The project will include metrics for encouraging sub-contracting from Indigenous contractors and businesses.

The town will validate and measure the anticipated impact and benefits outlined above for each building by measuring potential energy savings using ASHRAE level III standards and measuring GHG emissions using a GHG protocol. The study’s deliverables will include a written description of each improvement measure proposed, a financial pro forma cash flow documenting the proposed project with annual costs and savings, a fixed project cost, and a schedule for implementation.

This project aligns with the Town of Comox’s Sustainability Strategy, which aims to retrofit government buildings and facilities to achieve a 25–30% improvement in energy and water efficiency.

Innovative aspect(s):

• This project would introduce solar and heat pumps to the region
• The project’s financing would use energy performance contracting as a method of payment for associated costs
• Proceeding with this type of construction during a pandemic, where rising costs, labour shortages and escalating materials costs are common, is audacious. The city has identified certain mechanisms to mitigate impacts.

Replicability:

• The town’s partnership with the project consultant will demonstrate a method that can be used by numerous other municipalities to map a pathway to reducing municipal buildings’ energy consumption and GHG emissions
• Successfully using energy performance contracting would demonstrate to other municipalities that alternative financing mechanisms for such projects is achievable