Public Content Library

Summary

As the name implies, District Energy is ultimately an energy business. Unlike more well established DE systems in North America, with thousands of meter of installed thermal pipeline, new systems like ENMAX District Energy, in Calgary, are as much a construction business as a thermal energy business as it grows. Every new customer connection, and almost every trench meter of pipe associated with providing thermal energy, requires digging up streets. And not just any streets, density populated inner city streets flanked by high-rise office towers and residential condominiums used by tens of thousands of people daily. And whether it’s 1 meter or 200 meters of pipe to be installed, there is an immense amount of detailed mechanical and civil design, project management, and construction required to sell just 1 Kw of energy.

Having said all that, ENMAX District Energy is competitive and growing at pace that will likely see its 55 MW DE plant capacity sold-out in 2016. Sharing how this is accomplished, and explaining how construction costs play a major role in deriving thermal energy rates, is key to educating customers on how the business works, and why it is a fit for their buildings.

Speaker

Patrick Bohan, ENMAX