Surrey Central District Energy Feasibility Study
Type of initiative
FCM Green Municipal Fund - Plans, Studies, Pilots
Sector
Energy
Project value$115,140
Project Type
Feasibility Study
Sub Sector
District Energy – Multiple sources
Grant amount$34,242
Program type
GMF
Municipality
City of Surrey, BC
Status
Fully Disbursed
Population
568,322
Project timeline
2010 - 2011
Project number
11001
Description
The City of Surrey will conduct a feasibility study to determine whether to build a District Energy System (DES) in the Civic Centre. The system would serve the new municipal library and City Hall, and could expand to serve the surrounding central business district, an area designated for high-density development. The DES would support the city’s Sustainability Charter and its Economic Investment Action Plan.
The feasibility study will assess heating-only and heating-plus-cooling options and assess possible short-term (five-year) and long-term (30-year) approaches for the proposed facility. The short-term approach is likely to combine ground source heat exchange with natural gas boilers to meet peak demand. Options for the long term include wastewater heat recovery, biomass combustion/gasification, solar hot water, and anaerobic digester gas. A number of analyses will be conducted in the evaluation process, namely a triple-bottom line analysis, a pro forma cash flow analysis, a GHG emissions analysis as well as a sensitivity analysis. The study will recommend a single preferred concept for the project and provide the specifications needed for a detailed design, or to initiate a design-build procurement process for the first phase of the DES.
The proposed DES is intended to increase energy security, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and electricity use, and increase public awareness of sustainability and energy conservation. The new City Hall and library facilities are expected to cut energy costs and GHG emissions and benefit from revenues generated from DES customers. Construction and operation of the DES will create new job opportunities and the leading edge, sustainable energy system is expected to enhance real estate values in the district, benefit local businesses and invigorate the community.
(Project description from original funding application)
Applicant
City of Surrey, BC