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What We Have Accomplished
National Capital Commission (NCC)
Before Innovate Energy was awarded the contract for the Energy Services Modernization (ESM) project, PSPC met with staff from the NCC and presented to the Advisory Committee on Planning, Design, and Realty (ACPDR) multiple times to present the design of the heating and cooling plants as they evolved from September 2017 until December of 2018. The PSPC team worked through several iterations of the design, each time responding to input from staff and the ACPDR. This included:
- Three design charrettes
- Development of a indicative design package for the request for proposal
- NCC comments on the design package
- Revisions to the design package
- NCC design approval in concept, subject to a final approval
The NCC assumed the role of providing input to ensure that the new Cliff plant would respect the primacy of the national symbols, and would blend in well in its location next to the Supreme Court. It also provided critically important input on the design of the new plant proposed for Tunney’s Pasture.
Since contract signature (May 2019) Innovate Energy has assumed responsibility for engaging the NCC on the design and has initiated all other consultations required as part of design and construction.
Investing in more efficient technologies for our heating and cooling plants will reduce costs and lower greenhouse gas emissions. We have reduced emissions by 30% since 2005 and are on track to reduce GHG emissions by a total of 63% once the modernization is completed in 2025.
The current system uses steam for heating and some cooling. Through the modernization we will be switching to a fully electric system for cooling and the use of low temperature hot water for heating. This modernization will pave the way for future decarbonization and expansion of the district energy system.
Part of the plan for modernization is to position the system so that it can be expanded to other buildings – federal or otherwise – that are near the system. We will be positioned to supply LeBreton Flats and all of the buildings in the Tunney’s Pasture Master Plan. We are currently considering opportunities for expansion with the City of Ottawa and will continue to work with other stakeholders to lower the overall community GHG emissions in the National Capital Region.