Introducing the Members of Innovate Energy - WSP

October 5, 2021

The fourth in a series of profiles of the members of Innovate Energy the team that is modernizing the district energy system in the National Capital Region for the Government of Canada.

WSP in Canada

WSP in Canada is one of the country’s leading professional services firms working as a future focused organization with a reputation for innovative thinking, outstanding service, value enhancement and environmental responsibility. The firm provides services to restore the natural environment and transform the built environment; its expertise encompasses environmental remediation, urban planning, and developing the energy sources of the future. WSP in Canada employs various environmental experts, many in the NCR, enabling a localized presence to pilot the most demanding projects.

In maintaining an enduring commitment to their vision for a sustainable future, WSP in Canada engineers innovative solutions for all phases relating to district heating and cooling distribution systems to help clients harness renewables and waste energy sources, as well as reduce network operating costs, demand on grids and GHG emissions. Their staff have specialist experience in district energy systems, renewable energy and distributed energy, with projects ranging in size and technology. They are active in a number of energy sectors including district energy, energy efficiency and renewable energies. The company brings a vision for a net zero carbon world to the ESAP project, and a portfolio of successes that demonstrates their mandate for a clean, modern future.

WSP in Canada further contributes to the engineering portion of the ESAP project by looking after many aspects pertaining to the design of the mechanical, electrical and structural components of the central heating and cooling plants and the district energy system. Their mandate, and experience modernizing city infrastructure, supports the Canadian Government’s objective of clean, sustainable cities.

September 1, 2021

The third in a series of profiles of the members of Innovate Energy the team that is modernizing the district energy system in the National Capital Region for the Government of Canada.

Black & McDonald is an integrated multi-trade service provider that safely delivers high quality construction, facilities management and technical solutions. We are strongly committed to protecting the environment and incorporate sustainable solutions in all our business operations. We offer industry leading solutions to help our clients reduce their energy consumption, sustainably manage their asset lifecycles and reduce their carbon footprint.

With the breadth of experience, capabilities and resources to oversee full sustainable project and asset lifecycles, Black & McDonald supports all aspects of modern, smart city environments.

Black & McDonald is responsible for the mechanical and electrical scopes of the ESAP project. The Government of Canada will benefit from Black & McDonald’s expertise in energy conservation solutions and drive further progress towards their sustainability goals.

*ENGIE is now called EQUANS

August 4, 2021

The second in a series of profiles of the members of Innovate Energy the team that is modernizing the district energy system in the National Capital Region for the Government of Canada.

ENGIE Services Inc.

ENGIE Services Inc. is a facilities management solutions provider that prioritizes energy efficiency for public and private customers across Canada. To support customers’ energy transitions, ENGIE Services Inc. combines expertise in their specific sector, with innovations in technology, to deliver bespoke and integrated solutions.  ENGIE Services Inc. focuses their work on managing asset lifecycles to meet specific performance standards, qualitatively rationalizing energy use and reducing operational costs. ENGIE Services Inc. will bring its experience operating and maintaining district energy systems (DES) to the ESAP project for the Government of Canada.  The ENGIE Group’s experience with DES is supported by operating more than 320 district heating and cooling networks in more than 20 countries; the ENGIE Group leads the top ten players in the district heating and cooling (DHC) world market. ENGIE Services Inc. provides solutions to optimize energy and resources by improving efficiency and performance of buildings and facilities to lower energy consumption and GHG emissions. ENGIE Services Inc. will maintain and operate with DES system in the National Capital region while modernization takes place and continue doing so for 30 years afterwards.

July 14, 2021

The first in a series of profiles of the members of Innovate Energy, the team that is modernizing the district energy system in the National Capital Region for the Government of Canada.

PCL: PCL Construction Canada

PCL Construction has established itself as an expert in P3 agreements from over a century of work in Canada, and North America. As a family of independent, employee-owned companies, PCL Construction has long been at the forefront of innovation and technical advancement in construction. Experience in diverse operations such as civil infrastructures, heavy industrials and building markets has supported PCL Construction’s endeavor to be a premier and trusted company in the sustainable building market. As the largest contracting organization in Canada, PCL Construction recognizes the importance of sustainable development and the evolution to a net zero world. Working with clients to incorporate renewable energy and passive systems into their development plans has exemplified PCL’s mandate to achieve zero carbon emissions.  Locally, PCL Construction is based in the National Capital region and is experienced in sourcing the local materials necessary to reduce their carbon footprint.  PCL Construction’s consistent focus on sustainability and cost-effectiveness has resulted in a portfolio of work that demonstrates measurable benefits to help the Government of Canada meet their goal for GHG reduction.

PCL Investments Canada Inc.

PCL Investments established itself with the PCL group to merge the design-builder and equity investment roles to facilitate public-private partnership and alternative financing and procurement (PPP/AFP). PCL Investments aims to bolster equity investments underpinning many P3 projects that focus on sustainability and carbon reduction. Maneuvering this strategy has allowed PCL and their investment counterpart to streamline into the renewable energy marketplace from a financial angle.

PCL Construction is the design-builder and the general contractor of the ESAP project and is responsible for all design construction and civil aspects such as excavating and structural requirements. PCL Construction’s willingness to work towards sustainability goals with the Government of Canada will advance the achievement of GHG and carbon reduction.

Back in May 2023, Innovate Energy welcomed Remi Blackburn, Vice President of Technical Services, and Claudia Berger, ing, CEM, M.Env. Director of Sustainability from EQUANS Services. The team had the privilege of exploring the existing Plant and view the modernized Cliff Energy Centre that are showcasing the government’s commitment to low-carbon initiatives and sustainable practices in the #Ottawa Region's buildings! Every feature of the Energy Centre has been carefully designed to minimize its environmental impact including the conversion of steam to low temperature hot water, the use of electric chillers and the integration of smart building technologies!

The innovative design, advanced technologies, and eco-conscious features of the Energy Centre left them truly inspired.

Innovate Energy is proud to be part of the Public Services and Procurement Canada | Services publics et Approvisionnement Canada dedication to managing properties in an environmentally friendly manner which ties into the government priorities. This remarkable achievement highlights both the government's and Innovate Energy’s unwavering commitment to a greener future!

To celebrate Environment Week, we had the honour of meeting the Minister of Public Services and Procurement Canada | Services publics et Approvisionnement Canada and Procurement Canada, the Honourable Helena Jaczek, during her visit to the #ESAP’S Cliff Energy Center. The Minister commended the site, describing it as one of the most sustainable energy centers in North America!

Innovative Energy is proud to be a partner of the Government of Canada in its decarbonization goals, which will enable energy services to operate with carbon-neutrality by 2030.

Innovative Energy can leverage its expertise in the operation and maintenance of urban energy networks to support the operation of this district energy system, which heats 80 buildings and cools 67 buildings, including the Parliament buildings, in the National Capital Region (NCR) of Canada. The NCR is joining cities like Vancouver, London, Paris, and Los Angeles that are transitioning to renewable and carbon-neutral energy solutions for building operations. It is a pathway building toward a carbon-neutral community.

Green architecture is an idea that has been prominent in design excellence plans for the last 20 years. Recently, green architecture has been in the spotlight more than ever in order to meet the global requirements issued by the Paris Agreement in 2015. Countries around the world are incorporating design plans displaying renewable technology features such as wind energy, solar panels, electrification and green rooftops into their urban and rural infrastructure. Not only are these structures dynamic and innovative, they increase connectivity to the landscape and surrounding environment.

The design focus for the Energy Services Acquisition Program (ESAP), helmed by bbb architects in Ottawa, has always been centered around the public realm and focused on place making rather than iconic architectural form. The new energy centres being built in the National Capital Region for ESAP feature lush green roof landscapes that extend over the buildings and provide spaces for visitors to gather and enjoy the views overlooking the Ottawa or River. The intention is for the buildings to be secondary. In the case of the Cliff energy centre on Parliament Hill, the plant has a responsibility to not stand out or detract from Parliament, the Supreme Court, and Library and Archives. By extending green space over the buildings, the heating and cooling plants become partially underground. This reduces exposed building envelope and improves the overall building efficiency, insulation values, and reduces the amount of material used for cladding. The green roofs also retain stormwater, reduce heat-island effect and are part of a larger strategy for the buildings being in compliance with LEED v4 Gold standards.

The idea of prioritizing public realm and park space is consistent across all ESAP energy centres, providing room for expansion of the district energy system and reinforces the Government of Canada’s national greening initiatives.

A transparent and secure digital tool will track and monitor CO₂ emissions of buildings connected to the NCR DES. Innovate Energy will also use block-chain technology, a more efficient and cost-effective approach to gathering information, and collecting and verifying data by third parties. Integrating digital tools developed specifically for the operation and maintenance of district energy systems will contribute to the efficient use of energy, enable effective maintenance strategies, and create a healthy and safe environment for all employees.

A new pumphouse is being constructed along the Ottawa River’s north shore to provide the NCR DES with a green and renewable source of cold water for the system’s cooling services. The Ottawa River will help chill the water which will be used to cool buildings connected to the network. Combined with the use of electric chillers, this is a more sustainable alternative to the system presently in place. The pumphouse’s green roof and naturalized landscape will blend in with the banks along the Ottawa River.

The new Cliff Energy Centre has been designed to be an architectural landmark. It will be below-grade of the Ottawa River escarpment’s upper plateau, allowing for an expansive urban park to be built over top, with new public realm and lush gardens. In order to preserve and enhance the historic profile of the Ottawa River’s south bank, and to fit with the topography and contours of the limestone cliffs in this area, the Cliff Energy Centre’s building envelope consists of an organically flowing curtain designed to screen and softly hide the mechanical facility.