The federal government has announced a $25-million investment in Markham District Energy, a thermal energy utility owned by the City of Markham, Ontario, which is looking to utilize the Region of York’s wastewater system for a major new wastewater energy transfer project.
The utility has aligned with Noventa Energy Partners Inc. to extract thermal energy from wastewater through a connection to York Region’s trunk sewer on Warden Avenue. The new investment will significantly reduce the energy network’s natural gas consumption with a new 18.5-megawatt wastewater heat recovery system and a new 500-kilowatt biomass pellet boiler, which will reduce emissions by over 700,000 tonnes of CO₂-equivalent over the lifespan of the project.
Markham District Energy (MDE) aims to become a net-zero entity by 2050.
“Today represents a milestone in our 25-year history,” announced President and CEO of Markham District Energy Inc., Bruce Ander, in a statement. “The wastewater energy transfer project not only further positions Markham District Energy as a leader in innovative energy solutions and accelerates our path to becoming a net-zero district energy supplier, but is a representation of the outcome when there is cooperation and strategic support from all levels of government.”
Subscribe to our Newsletter!
The latest environmental engineering news direct to your inbox. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Noventa will supply 16 BG14 RoWin heat exchangers and five Rotomat RoK4 pumping stations for the expansion of the wastewater energy transfer project, which broke ground in July.
“Noventa is proud to be MDE’s technology partner in this important decarbonization project,” said Founder and CEO of Noventa Energy Partners, Dennis Fotinos. “This project is the culmination of more than two years of effort from people committed to reimagining energy to combat climate change. It is a testament to the environmental leadership of MDE and the City of Markham. We’re looking forward to helping even more partners decarbonize operations in future,” he added.
MDE’s network is already delivering cost-efficient heating and cooling to over 15 million square feet across 240 buildings. Through a system of underground pipes, energy is delivered to buildings in the form of hot water and chilled water to heat and cool building space.
Over the 10-year carbon contract, the project has the potential to reduce more than 177,000 tonnes of CO₂-equivalent emissions priced at $100 per tonne.
The project has already secured major investments and financing from the Canada Infrastructure Bank, CIBC, and federal programs such as the Low Carbon Economy Fund.
Later this year, Noventa will commission the first phase of its wastewater energy transfer project for the Toronto Western Hospital, which is intended to eventually supply 19MW of thermal energy, equivalent to 90% of the hospital’s annual heating and cooling needs.
