Waste heat from some of the largest district energy customers in downtown Toronto can now be recaptured to further stretch the system’s capacity and reduce peak electricity demand. Toronto’s district energy provider, Enwave, has commissioned an expansion and substantial overhaul to its existing downtown energy plant, enabling a switchover from reliance on steam to an electric heat pump.
Through this technology, waste heat from the data centres, hospitals, scientific research facilities and laboratory spaces currently hooked into Enwave’s deep lake water cooling (DLWC) network will be reconstituted for other customers in the system. Once fully operational, the plant will be able to produce up to 3,600 tons of cooling and 62 million British thermal units (Btu) of heating per hour, and will reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by up to 11,600 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) annually compared to the steam alternative.
“The commissioning of the new Enwave Green Heat Plant marks another step forward in providing low-carbon heating to more people in Toronto, leveraging the existing district energy system,” observes Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow.
The project, which commenced construction in 2023, draws on funding from the Canadian government’s Low Carbon Economy Fund. As well, Enwave secured a $600-million loan from Canada Infrastructure Bank, which has supported various investments throughout its portfolio, including the new green heat plant, wastewater heat recovery technology at Lakeview Village in Mississauga, Ontario, and geoexchange technology at the Etobicoke Civic Centre in west Toronto.
“Our investment is paying dividends — helping to make urban communities greener and more sustainable, while also supporting the delivery of reliable, cost-effective energy solutions that benefit residents and businesses alike,” maintains Ehren Cory, chief executive officer of Canada Infrastructure Bank.
