Feasibility Study of a Zero Carbon District Energy System for The Isles, redevelopment of the former Domtar lands, Ottawa, ON

The City of Ottawa, through a partnership between Hydro Ottawa and sustainable real estate developer Windmill Developments, will study the feasibility of including a carbon-neutral district energy system in the redevelopment of the former Domtar industrial lands. The 37-acre property includes three islands, now called The Isles, and more than one kilometer of the Ottawa River shoreline. The lands are located in the heart of the National Capital Region, next to the downtown areas of Ottawa and Gatineau. Windmill Developments will transform this derelict, contaminated site into a mixed-use community with over 1,000 units of housing, significant retail and office space, and ample green space to restore local biodiversity. This feasibility study will identify the optimal mix of technologies, markets and operational strategies for an integrated community energy system that would serve the entire development, on both sides of the provincial border. Options include a thermal district energy system for heating and cooling that draws energy from various sources (e.g. heat recovered from the ground or from sewage); a local micro-grid incorporating smart technology; and renewable energy technologies such as building-integrated solar energy systems. Potential environmental impacts will be evaluated against indicators focusing on energy consumption, renewable energy production, and the quantity of waste heat captured. The use of thermal or geothermal energy would allow for power distribution across provincial borders (where electrical power cannot be shared). After a life-cycle analysis of each proposed energy source or technology, the study team will develop a business case for energy delivery to the proposed redevelopment. If implemented, the district energy system would draw from complementary distributed energy sources, ensuring greater stability, reducing costs and generating economic returns. The site is ideally located to create a pedestrian-oriented, zero-carbon, multi-generational neighbourhood, emphasizing accessibility and cultivating an inclusive community. The 10 Common International Targets identified by the One Planet Communities program form the framework of environmental goals set for the community. This feasibility study feeds into one of the environmental goals to achieve carbon-neutrality. (Project description from original funding application)