{"id":2834,"date":"2024-07-15T14:33:58","date_gmt":"2024-07-15T18:33:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mtdomr.mywhc.ca\/?page_id=2834"},"modified":"2024-07-15T14:33:59","modified_gmt":"2024-07-15T18:33:59","slug":"frequently-asked-questions-test","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/nationalcapitaldistrictenergy.ca\/en\/frequently-asked-questions-test\/","title":{"rendered":"Frequently Asked Questions test"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What is the National Capital Region District Energy System (NCR DES)?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The NCR DES is a centralized system that provides, in Ottawa and Gatineau, heating to 80 federal buildings and cooling to 67, including the Parliament Buildings and the Supreme Court of Canada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of North America\u2019s oldest and largest, the system is made up of five heating and cooling plants and four distribution networks that deliver steam and cold water across over 14 km of underground pipes. Built between 50 and 100 years ago, the NCR DES is currently being modernized to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from its own operations. Once completed in 2026, it will be one of the greenest of its kind and scale in North America.     <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the Energy Services Acquisition Program (ESAP)?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

ESAP represents one of the Government of Canada\u2019s most impactful climate change initiatives when it comes to reducing GHG emissions from its own operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) launched ESAP to improve the overall efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the NCR DES, which provides heating to 80 federal buildings and cooling to 67, in Ottawa and Gatineau.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project entails the complete overhaul and modernization of the aging system, along with the mechanical conversion of all buildings currently connected to the NCR DES. By significantly reducing the energy intensity of heating and cooling buildings on the network, ESAP will create savings of almost half a billion dollars (for the period of 2026 to 2055) and will reduce GHG emissions by 92 per cent compared to 2005 emissions baseline. By 2030, the entire system will be in a position to be carbon neutral.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By modernizing the way that PSPC delivers heating and cooling services, ESAP will achieve 15 per cent of the department\u2019s target of net-zero carbon real property operations by 2050<\/a>. This is a significant contribution for a single initiative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a district energy system (DES)?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A DES is a highly efficient and environmentally sustainable way of providing heating and\/or 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 pipes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the United Nations\u2019 Environment Programme (UNEP)<\/a>, DESs are \u201cone of the least-cost and most efficient solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and primary energy demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

District energy systems have been used for centuries around the world. 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why was the modernization of the NCR DES needed?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The NCR DES is one of North America\u2019s oldest and largest public systems. Built between 50 and 100 years ago, it uses outdated technologies and many of its components are at the end of their service life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By 2026, the NCR DES will leverage sustainable energy resources, resulting in a 92 per cent decrease in GHGs from 2005 baselines - making it one of greenest district energy systems of its kind and scale. As the system\u2019s modernization will significantly reduce the energy intensity of heating and cooling buildings on the network, ESAP will also create savings of almost half a billion dollars (for the period of 2026 to 2055).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How old is the current NCR DES?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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    The NCR DES \u2013 one of North America\u2019s oldest and largest public systems \u2013 was built between 50 and 100 years ago and uses outdated technologies. Many of its components are at the end of their service life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Who is Innovate Energy?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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      ESAP is being implemented as part of a collaborative partnership between the federal government and Innovate Energy, a locally based consortium with global expertise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      The Government of Canada entered in 2019 into a 35-year contract with Innovate Energy to design, build, finance operate and maintain (DBFOM) the NCR DES. Innovate Energy is composed of PCL Constructors, Black & McDonald as Design-Builders and EQUANS as the Operation & Maintenance Provider, with the support of WSP engineers, bbb architects, and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Through their combined resources and experience, Innovate Energy is delivering a unique, ground-breaking system that will help position the Government of Canada as a world leader in the fight against climate change and the race to carbon-neutral emissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      How will the project be implemented and when will the modernized DES be operational?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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        The modernization of the NCR DES began in 2019 and involves the conversion of the existing steam-based system to a more energy-efficient low-temperature hot water heating system with electric chillers for cooling. The modernized DES will be completely transformed and operational in 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The project also includes the construction of some of the greenest energy centres of their kind in North America, three of which are new builds and one an upgrade of an existing facility. In addition, work is being done to increase the system\u2019s resilience and redundancy by better connecting the network of underground pipes, resulting in two distribution loops, down from four.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        How will the currently connected buildings be made compatible with the new technology being installed through the modernization project?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        As part of ESAP, PSPC is also undertaking the conversion of all buildings currently connected to the system in parallel with the modernization of the NCR DES. Given the transition to a low-temperature hot water system for heating and electric chillers for cooling, the User Building Conversion Plan (UBCP) team is working to convert the heating and\/or cooling systems within connected buildings to ensure compatibility with this new technology by installing Energy Transfer Systems (ETS). The building conversion component of ESAP was initiated in 2017 and is aiming for completion in 2024-2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        What are the benefits of ESAP and the modernization project?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        By significantly reducing the energy intensity of heating and cooling buildings on the network, ESAP will create savings of almost half a billion dollars (for the period of 2026 to 2055).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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          ESAP\u2019s modernized energy centres will be among the new faces of clean energy in Canada. Constructing the buildings mostly underground allows for the space over top to be used as expansive accessible urban parks, benefiting the surrounding communities. They will be architecturally pleasing, adding to the community\u2019s use and enjoyment through public gardens, courtyards, and improved connections for walking, rolling, and cycling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Why did the architects decide to build the new energy centres mostly underground?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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            ESAP\u2019s modernized energy centres will be among the new faces of clean energy in Canada. Constructing the buildings mostly underground allows for the space over top to be used as expansive accessible urban parks, benefiting the surrounding communities. They will be architecturally pleasing, adding to the community\u2019s use and enjoyment through public gardens, courtyards, and improved connections for walking, rolling, and cycling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            How will the surrounding communities benefit from the new energy centres?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

            ESAP\u2019s modernized energy centres will be some of the new faces of clean energy in Canada. Transforming \u201cgrey into green,\u201d the centres will convert former parking lots into memorable spaces like no other in the region. They will be architecturally pleasing, adding to the community\u2019s use and enjoyment with accessible gardens, courtyards, and improved connections for walking, rolling, and cycling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            There will also be a new Visitor Education Centre (VEC) at the Cliff Energy Centre. This will provide education on climate action, including Canada\u2019s leadership in green technologies. It will also showcase the system\u2019s renewable technology and environmental benefits. The centre will also include windows with views of the mechanical rooms, allowing members of the public to see and learn about ESAP\u2019s innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            How is an energy centre different from a heating and cooling plant?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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              ESAP\u2019s modernized and architecturally pleasing energy centres will replace the system\u2019s older heating and cooling plants and will be among the new faces of clean energy in Canada. They will add to the community\u2019s use and enjoyment with lush gardens, courtyards, public art, and improved connections for walking, rolling, and cycling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              One of the project\u2019s major innovations was to find architectural solutions to the traditional plant design. In the past, these heating and cooling plants had very utilitarian designs that did not fit well with their surrounding communities. Energy centres are designed with the community in mind, making them spaces for the public to enjoy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              What makes ESAP <\/strong>one of the Government of Canada\u2019s most impactful climate change initiatives when it comes to reducing GHG emissions from its own operations?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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                The modernization of the NCR DES will significantly advance the Government of Canada\u2019s efforts to meet its climate change targets. By fundamentally changing how the federal buildings connected to the NCR DES are heated and cooled, ESAP will greatly reduce their environmental footprint. ESAP will contribute to 15 per cent of PSPC\u2019s target of net-zero carbon real property operations by 2050. This is a significant contribution for a single initiative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                According to the International Energy Association<\/a>, the buildings sector accounts for over one third of global energy consumption and emissions. This includes GHG emissions created from constructing, heating, cooling, and lighting buildings (such as homes and businesses), as well as supplying the appliances and equipment installed in them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                The Government of Canada has committed to greening its own operations<\/a> to support Canada\u2019s sustainability goals established under the Paris Agreement on climate change. It set a goal of reducing its own GHG emissions by 40 per cent by 2025 and by at least 90 per cent below 2005 levels by 2050 \u2013 this includes federal buildings and fleets of vehicles. Already, ESAP\u2019s modernization efforts have resulted in a 30 per cent decrease in the NCR DES\u2019s GHG emissions, from 2005 baselines. By 2026, the system will operate on low-temperature hot water for heating and electric chillers for cooling, resulting in a 92 per cent decrease. By 2030, the entire system will be in a position to be carbon neutral.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Why is this project so innovative? What technological innovations have been incorporated into ESAP?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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                  The NCR DES\u2019s transition from fossil fuels to clean energy represents a major shift in conventional thinking for how to heat and cool buildings. This significantly advances Canada\u2019s efforts to meet its climate change targets. It also sets an important precedent that can be replicated in other jurisdictions nationally and globally, positioning Canada as a leading innovator in carbon-neutral buildings and leading-edge green technology. In keeping with Canada\u2019s role as a global leader in clean technology and renewable energy use, ESAP can serve as a future case study for how other jurisdictions worldwide can decarbonize their building operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  Among ESAP\u2019s many innovations, there are three that are foundational to how the NCR DES will operate:<\/p>\n\n\n\n