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District Energy

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A district energy system is a centralized way of providing heating and cooling to multiple buildings. It consists of one or more central energy centres that send hot and/or cold water to buildings connected through a network of underground pipes. DESs use less energy and are more efficient than having heating and cooling equipment in each individual building.

District energy systems are used around the world. According to the United Nations’ Energy Program, DESs are “one of the least-cost and most efficient solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and primary energy demand.”

Modern DES technologies also make it possible to provide heating and cooling services using a variety of low carbon and renewable energy solutions including biomass or waste to energy, nuclear energy, as well as heat pumps, wind and solar systems, etc.

Large DESs exist in several major cities, such as Helsinki, Copenhagen, Paris, London, Berlin, Seattle, New York City, San Francisco, Vancouver, Toronto and many others. The NCR DES is one of North America’s oldest and largest district energy systems. Through ESAP, it will also be one of the greenest.

The infographic title is Energy Services Acquisition Program: How District Energy Works. It depicts a cityscape, with a cluster of high-rise buildings including the Centre Block, one of Canada’s Parliament Buildings. On the far left is a building with viewing boxes cascading down the escarpment with two modern stacks which represent the new Cliff Energy Center. In front of the buildings is a road. Below the road are lines underground showing how the heating and cooling system is connected to the buildings through red and blue lines, with arrows pointing up. The lines represent pipes that circulate renewable energy. Three blocks of text are shown above the cluster of buildings: First Box: A district energy system is a set of energy centers that heats buildings with hot water or steam and cools buildings with chilled water. They are used all over the world. Second box: This uses less energy and is more efficient than having equipment in each individual building. Third Box: The government district energy system in Ottawa serves more than 80 buildings, including the Parliament Buildings. It is being modernized to cut greenhouse gas emissions and costs. One block of text is shown below ground on the lines representing pipes: The water circulates through underground pipes connected in a loop.

According to the United Nations’ Energy Program, DESs are “one of the least-cost and most efficient solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and primary energy demand.”