London might consider ‘innovative’ district energy system to heat three municipal buildings

Is the city looking to produce its own power to run municipal buildings? CTV London’s Daryl Newcombe finds out.

A plan to perform energy audits and condition assessments on several municipal buildings in London could eventually lay the groundwork for a micro-scale district energy system to service a cluster along Wellington Road.

On Monday, the Infrastructure and Corporate Services Committee discussed entering a funding agreement with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) for a grant of up to $200,000 from the Green Municipal Fund (GMF) to conduct energy audits and feasibility studies that would develop a long-term plan for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 80% over the next 20 years.

The city would be responsible for the remaining costs, estimated at $185,000.

The close proximity of three buildings along the east side of Wellington Road (north of Southdale) might justify the installation of a shared energy system in the future.

According to the staff report, “FCM recognized the possibility of a micro-scale district energy system to support Dearness Home, Tourism London and Fire Hall 09 as an innovative aspect of this grant application.”

Coun. Skylar Franke previously suggested district energy systems could be a way to lower long-term operating costs and generate revenue for city hall.

“If you have a cluster of buildings close together and you’re able to provide them with electricity or with heat, it’s more efficient that way. It’s more reliable,” Franke told CTV News. “We’ve had discussions in the past at Council and with London Hydro about looking at opportunities where we could build this kind of system.”

In a letter to the committee, London Hydro suggests the plan to conduct energy audits on the municipal buildings would provide important information for future decision-making, “For example, modelling a micro-scale district energy system for a cluster of buildings within the project scope presents a unique opportunity for exploration.”

“I think this is a somewhat modest investment to potentially have a lot of operating returns in the long run and including some permanently lowered utility bills for some of our facilities,” added Franke.

Currently, there is no timeline nor budget allocated for constructing a micro-scale district energy system.

However, Franke considers the energy audits, condition assessments, and feasibility studies a necessary first step.

“This will provide us that roadmap,” she explained. “And somebody else is willing to help pay for it, so I think it’s a win for Londoners.”

Council will consider entering into the Green Municipal Fund Grant Agreement with FCM on February 10.

The nine buildings that would receive building condition assessments (BCA) and calibrated energy modelling are:

• Dearness Home
• Fire Station 9
• Tourism London Welcome Centre
• Stronach Arena
• Canada Games Aquatic Center
• City Hall
• Carling Heights Optimist Community Center
• Museum London
• Exeter Road Operations Center buildings