British Columbia–based SHARC International Systems Inc. has completed a major expansion of Vancouver’s False Creek Neighbourhood Energy Utility (NEU), creating what it says is now the largest operating wastewater energy recovery project in North America.
The project began by supplying energy in 2010 to power the Olympic Village built for the Winter Games, capturing heat from wastewater before it enters the sewer system. Under the SHARC deal, the expansion boosts the NEU’s wastewater energy transfer capacity from 3.2 megawatts (MW) to 9.8 MW, tripling its output.
The expansion supports the growing Neighbourhood Energy Utility (NEU) network which supplies low carbon heating to 47 buildings, representing over 10,000 residents, Emily Carr University, Creekside Community Centre and several local businesses.
“The False Creek Neighbourhood Energy Utility is a great example of Vancouver’s ingenuity – we’ve literally turned raw sewage into an energy resource for the community,” announced Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim. “Energy that would have been wasted down the drain is now heating commercial and residential spaces in parts of our most densely populated neighbourhoods.”
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The system recovers heat energy from the approximately 20°C wastewater generated by showers, dishwashing and laundry, and recycles it to preheat water for buildings’ hot water systems.
District Energy Systems or Thermal Energy Networks like the False Creek NEU distribute steam or hot water 24/7 produced from central plants to multiple buildings through underground insulated piping.
SHARC Energy began collaborating with the city in 2017, retrofitting two pilot systems for sewage screening into the NEU. The latest upgrade includes the installation and commissioning of five SHARC 880 systems, which the company will service and maintain for five years, with an option for a five-year extension.
The $20-million project will also cut carbon emissions by roughly 4,400 tonnes annually once fully operational later this year, and it has reduced the city’s reliance on the BC Hydro grid. The system operates with an average coefficient of performance (COP) of 3 for heat generation, meaning it generates energy at 300% efficiency.
Since its launch, the False Creek NEU has expanded to serve over 600,000 m² of residential, commercial and institutional space. With the new upgrade, it will provide service to more than 1.9 million m² of development across Southeast False Creek, Mount Pleasant, the False Creek Flats and Northeast False Creek.
The False Creek NEU is self-funded, providing affordable energy rates to customers while generating a return for city taxpayers.
