The City of Surrey is creating an area of high-efficiency energy in the downtown core.
The announcement comes on the heels of the city’s commitment to become carbon neutral by 2012.
The city will establish a municipally owned district energy (DE) system in order to reduce the consumption of greenhouse gases.
The first system will be built in City Centre under the new city hall using ground source heat exchange as the primary energy supply.
It will distribute energy in the form of hot water, which will allow for additional renewable energy sources to be used in the future.
The process uses pipes deep underground, where water is heated by earth energy and then piped into buildings to reduce the reliance on conventional heating.
In addition, waste heat from high energy users, such as ice rinks, pools and industrial customers can be recaptured and easily redistributed to other users in the system.
The city is also exploring the possibility of establishing DE systems near the Gateway and King George SkyTrain stations, as well as Grandview Heights and Campbell Heights areas, due to the current and future plans for industrial, commercial and high-density residential development in these areas.
It comes just months after a commitment by council to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) in this city.
In 2008, Surrey signed on to the B.C. Climate Action Plan which signified this city’s intention to significantly cut GHGs by 2012.
Being a part of that also signified Surrey would measure and report its emissions and create complete, compact, more energy efficient communities.
Under the agreement, solid waste facilities are not included in the carbon count.
In 2009, Surrey consumed a total of 417,079 GJ of energy and emitted 15,225 tonnes of GHGs.
Of those emissions, nine per cent was electricity use, natural gas accounted for 47 per cent and fuel consumed by the city’s fleet was 44 per cent.
The total energy expenditure in 2009 was just over $10 million.
Some of the other steps the city is taking include:
• Developing policies related to building use, and incorporating alternative energy systems where feasible.
• “Right sizing” the city’s vehicle fleet and analyzing the cost benefits of alternative fuels.
• Initiating green purchasing policies and practices.
• Implementing and publicizing green infrastructure pilot projects.
• Committing to the Climate Change Action Plan.
The Climate Action Charter is a voluntary agreement between municipalities and the province.
Surrey is also eligible for carbon credits from the province, based on how much GHGs are emitted. Based on 2009 levels of carbon emissions, Surrey would receive a $416,200 rebate in 2012.
kdiakiw@surreyleader.com
