We are exploring the feasibility of a District Energy Network for the Kingsway Industrial corridor to support our ongoing Climate Action efforts and foster economic development by creating green industrial intensification opportunities.
Phase 1 of Port Coquitlam’s District Energy Network would involve tapping into the wastewater heat available at the McLean Avenue pump station (owned and operated by Metro Vancouver) and installing a network of underground pipes to transfer thermal energy to heat the 275,000 square-foot Port Coquitlam Community Centre (PCCC) at 2150 Wilson Avenue that houses three arenas, a gymnasium, a leisure pool, a fitness centre and studios, Terry Fox Library, a concession and multi-purpose spaces.The system will provide alternative ways to heat the building/pool and recover waste heat from the ice rink chillers, thus significantly reducing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions from the PCCC.
The renewable energy contained in wastewater typically comes from residual heat from commercial and industrial processes, residential hot water heating, and any geothermal exchange within the Port Coquitlam’s underground wastewater collection system. The project is being coordinated with planned road improvements in the vicinity to reduce costs and minimize construction disruption.
The long term vision is to build a new bio-energy centre to provide green energy to over a dozen large industrial users currently situated along the Kingsway Industrial Corridor. The energy centre would use waste derived biogenic waste generated within the region.
The initial goal is to advance a feasibility study starting February 2024 to understand the extent of waste heat recovery from the McLean pump station to heat the PCCC facility. This will be followed by a Phase 2 concept development at much larger scale once Phase 1 has been completed successfully.