Decarbonizing the University of Calgary’s district energy system

The purpose of the proposed initiative is to complete a feasibility study outlining a viable path for the deep decarbonization of the University of Calgary’s main campus district energy system (DES). The existing DES relies on the combustion of fossil fuel (natural gas) for the generation of heat and electricity (through a co-generation unit) for the main campus. The DES is responsible for approximately 60% of the university’s annual greenhouse gas emissions. This study is directly linked to the City of Calgary's Climate Resilience Strategy and its Climate Change Mitigation Plan. The projects also align with the university’s Institutional Sustainability Strategy and its 2019 Climate Action Plan. The latter highlighted the decarbonization of the DES as a key initiative critical to achieving carbon neutrality. The proposed feasibility study has the potential to identify a DES strategy that will significantly exceed the GMF environmental threshold of 40% (energy and emissions) for district energy studies. Decarbonizing the DES would enable the University of Calgary to reduce its annual greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 80,000 tonnes. The reduction in the combustion of natural gas from the current DES will improve public health and will lead to improved air quality locally and regionally. The implementation of specific projects identified in the feasibility study will reduce unemployment and speed economic recovery as the project implementation over 10 years should generate more than 420 person-years of employment. The study’s proposed approach will look at both upstream and downstream system linkages. It will address supply impacts and requirements (upstream) by considering available on- and off-site renewable energy sources (solar photovoltaics) that could support the proposed transition of the DES. It will address demand impacts and requirements (downstream) by considering the effect of energy demand reduction measures implemented in the buildings served by the DES, with a focus on maximizing heat recovery. Alternatives to address process loads that require high-grade heat, to transition existing buildings to low-temperature heating, and to make new construction “future-ready” for the transition will also be explored. Innovative aspect(s): This initiative demonstrates the ingenuity and innovation required to transition existing DES infrastructure to help meet Canada’s climate commitments and support the green economy of the future. Replicability: The transition to a low-carbon Canadian economy will require the conversion of many existing district energy systems currently supported by the combustion of natural gas to low- or zero-carbon systems. These systems lie within municipalities and post-secondary, healthcare and industrial campuses across Canada. The findings of this study have the potential to set a Canadian precedent and provide valuable insights for others to imitate or innovate. (Project description from original funding application)