Client: City of Kitchener
Year: 2019 to Present
Project Highlights
- Full Build-Out: 400,000 m2 heated by Open Loop geo-exchange
- Heating Peak Load: 21 MW; Cooling Peak Load: 4,600 tons
Pre-Feasibility of a District Energy System in downtown Kitchener
The Corporation of the City of Kitchener has a goal to advance community energy systems to serve and support sustainable development in Downtown Kitchener. One means of advancing community energy solutions involved implementing an open loop geoexchange district energy system (“DES”) serving the broader Downtown Kitchener geography.
FVB performed a pre-feasibility on developing a DES to service the Kitchener Innovation District+ in downtown Kitchener. The area has an existing building stock of ~450,000 m2 (~4,500,000 ft2) with over 400,000 m2 (4,000,000 ft2) of anticipated new building development expected over the next 15 years. The goal was to develop a system that meet’s the Region’s energy plan objective of enhancing local energy generation and security.
FVB developed a Class 2 technical and financial analysis, as well as DES concept centered on six (6) new developments forecasted to be constructed within the next 15 years. The buildings are estimated to have a total heating and cooling requirements of 19 MW and 5,100 tons, respectively, at full build-out.
Three (3) scenarios were reviewed in the study:
- Conventional DES – with gas fired boilers and electrical centrifugal chillers totaling 20.5 MW and 4,600 tons. Plus, an option that includes 550 kWe of CHP capacity.
- Open Loop Ground Source Heat Pumps + Conventional DES – with 1,000-ton heat recovery chiller coupled with an open loop ground source and 16.5 MW gas fired boilers and 4,100 tons electrical centrifugal chillers capacity. Plus, an option that includes 550 kWe of CHP capacity.
- Closed Loop Ground Source Heat Pumps + Conventional DES – with 1,000-ton heat recovery chiller coupled with a closed loop ground source and 16.5 MW gas fired boilers and 4,100 tons electrical centrifugal chillers capacity. Plus, an option that includes 550 kWe of CHP capacity.
FVB is currently proceeding with a detailed engineering study of the Open Loop geo-exchange option as the primary low carbon energy source.
FVB Scope of Work:
- Technical Analyses and Conceptual Design
- Financial Modelling
- Stakeholder Advisory & City Engagement
More Information
Visit City of Kitchener to learn more about the municipality’s strategic goals
Keywords
Municipalities, Community Energy, Feasibility Study, Open Loop Geo, Low-Carbon DES