The Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) formed a $50-million partnership with Creative Energy to roll out retrofit projects focused on deep decarbonization through district energy systems.

The first building retrofit project under the partnership will be at Thompson Rivers University, upgrading 12 buildings and providing heating capacity to one new building across its Kamloops, British Columbia campus. The campus will transition from decentralized natural gas heating to a high-efficiency electrified heat source using a centralized air-source and water-source heat pump strategy.

The technology will reduce emissions from the heating systems in the connected building by 95 per cent, creating a more sustainable campus for students and moving the university very close to its 2030 zero carbon goal.

With buildings accounting for around 18 per cent of Canada’s total emissions, the CIB’s retrofit investments aim to enhance building sustainability while reducing energy consumption and associated capital costs.

“Sustainability is a core value at Thompson Rivers University, and our Low-Carbon District Energy System (LCDES) project marks our most ambitious effort yet to minimize our climate footprint,” said Dr. Brett Fairbairn, president and vice-chancellor, TRU. “With the invaluable support of CIB financing, institutions like TRU can undertake crucial initiatives fostering a greener future. The LCDES will function as an educational cornerstone, serving as a ‘living lab’ within the Sustainability Powerhouse to highlight cutting-edge energy technologies. This initiative not only promises a more sustainable campus but also invigorates sustainability initiatives that actively involve and benefit students.”