District Energy Systems are able to run on a variety of sustainable and renewable energy sources, in this case it is the use of heat recovery from untreated wastewater and using it as a source of renewable energy. Also by localising energy production and generate energy for a whole neighbourhood, great efficiencies can be achieved.
How the Process Works
The plant recovers heat from untreated urban wastewater, a renewable energy source. Similar to a geothermal application, heat pumps transfer the energy to a hot water distribution system.
Sewage heat recovery is often more efficient than most geothermal systems to its warmer heat source and lower installation cost.
A system of insulated underground pipes circulates hot water around the neighbourhood, distributing heat from the Energy Centre and from solar collectors atop some buildings.
Energy transfer stations in each building exchange energy with the circulating hot water, metering the building’s energy production and consumption for billing.
From the energy transfer stations, space heat and domestic hot water is delivered to residents by each building’s mechanical system. These systems are owned and managed by the property holders, and can include radiant floor/ceiling systems, baseboard heaters and forced-air systems.
Furthermore, the system can be readily adapted to a variety of renewable energy sources. This flexibility lets the system keep pace with advances in technology, future proofing customer buildings and ensuring long-term energy security and affordability
(City of Vancouver 2014)
The City of Sydney has already experienced the success of district energy systems in the form of tri-generation systems for places like Central Park. The continual development and expansion of the system will ensure that the City continues to reduce GHG emissions and move closer to its 2030 target.
How the Process Works
The plant recovers heat from untreated urban wastewater, a renewable energy source. Similar to a geothermal application, heat pumps transfer the energy to a hot water distribution system.
Sewage heat recovery is often more efficient than most geothermal systems to its warmer heat source and lower installation cost.
A system of insulated underground pipes circulates hot water around the neighbourhood, distributing heat from the Energy Centre and from solar collectors atop some buildings.
Energy transfer stations in each building exchange energy with the circulating hot water, metering the building’s energy production and consumption for billing.
From the energy transfer stations, space heat and domestic hot water is delivered to residents by each building’s mechanical system. These systems are owned and managed by the property holders, and can include radiant floor/ceiling systems, baseboard heaters and forced-air systems.
Furthermore, the system can be readily adapted to a variety of renewable energy sources. This flexibility lets the system keep pace with advances in technology, future proofing customer buildings and ensuring long-term energy security and affordability
(City of Vancouver 2014)
The City of Sydney has already experienced the success of district energy systems in the form of tri-generation systems for places like Central Park. The continual development and expansion of the system will ensure that the City continues to reduce GHG emissions and move closer to its 2030 target.
Reference List
City of Vancouver 2014,Southeast False Creek Neighbourhood Energy Utility viewed 24 August 2015 <http://vancouver.ca/home-property-development/false-creek-neighbourhood-energy-utility.aspx>
City of Vancouver 2015, Neighbourhood Energy Strategy: downtown updated to Council viewed 13 September 2015 <http://former.vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/cclerk/20150414/documents/rr1presentation.pdf>
City of Vancouver 2015, Neighbourhood Energy Strategy: downtown updated to Council viewed 13 September 2015 <http://former.vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/cclerk/20150414/documents/rr1presentation.pdf>