We’re excited to share that Blatchford’s District Energy Sharing System (DESS) is receiving a $23.7M grant through the Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program (SREPs).
Christian Felske, City of Edmonton Director of Renewable Energy Systems, chats with CBC’s Jessica Ng about recent federal funding to expand Blatchford’s renewable energy capacity as the community grows.
This funding will support the addition of 13.1 MW of heating and 12.3 MW cooling capacity to the DESS, helping to accommodate development and growth within the community.
The DESS reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by providing renewable heating and cooling energy, while simultaneously reducing electricity consumption and minimizing the impacts of summer peak electricity demands.
This project to increase the DESS capacity has a total value of $79.2M, with the remainder being provided by the City. It includes installing an additional heat pump to increase heating and cooling capacity, the extension of the distribution piping network, and the design and construction of a new Sewer Heat Exchange Energy Centre.
“Edmonton is growing quickly. We need to build more housing supported by sustainable infrastructure that will last for generations,” said Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi. “Blatchford is an incredible opportunity to build comfortable, durable homes in an amenity-rich central neighbourhood. This investment to expand district energy generation capacity – along with recent Housing Accelerator Funding to help connect district energy to Blatchford’s multi-unit housing – will go a long way in creating a more resilient, inclusive city for everyone.”
Quick facts
- Last year, the Government of Canada released Powering Canada Forward, its vision for transforming Canada’s electricity sector and meeting its commitment to decarbonizing the country’s electricity systems as it.
- Blatchford will eventually be home to up to 30,000 Edmontonians living, working and learning in a sustainable community that uses 100% renewable energy, is carbon neutral, significantly reduces its ecological footprint, and empowers residents to pursue a range of sustainable lifestyle choices.
- Approximately 40 per cent of Edmonton’s greenhouse gas emissions come from buildings. Blatchford homes will release fewer greenhouse gas emissions (about 75 per cent less) than homes in a typical community.
- 2024 marks the 5th year of successful operation for Blatchford’s District Energy Sharing System (DESS). At full buildout, it is anticipated to be one of the largest ambient temperature district energy systems in Canada, if not the largest.
- In addition to SREPs funding, Blatchford’s District Energy Sharing System is also one of the City of Edmonton initiatives receiving support through the Government of Canada’s Housing Accelerator Fund. This support will provide rebates to encourage the integration of DESS infrastructure into buildings in the Blatchford community, promoting sustainability and energy-efficiency in multi-unit housing developments, so that even more Edmontonians can call this green community home.
Learn more:
- Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program
- Powering Canada Forward: Building a Clean, Affordable, and Reliable Electricity System for Every Region in Canada
- 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: Clean Air, Strong Economy
- Housing Accelerator Fund – Edmonton Action Plan Initiatives
- 10 reasons why district energy sharing is good for Blatchford homeowners