District Energy – Blatchford Redevelopment

The City’s Vision is that “Blatchford will be home to up to 30,000 Edmontonians living, working and learning in a sustainable community that uses 100 percent renewable energy, is carbon neutral, significantly reduces its ecological footprint, and empowers residents to pursue a range of sustainable lifestyle choices.”

Associated Engineering was engaged to assess the feasibility and develop a preliminary design of an ambient temperature District Energy Sharing System to be installed as an integral component for providing heating, cooling, and domestic hot water through-out the Blatchford Redevelopment project. Following approval of the preliminary business case by council, Associated Engineering completed the detailed design and construction documents of the Phase One distribution piping system, geoexchange field, and energy centre. The team also provided numerous utility support services including builder design guidelines, maintenance and operations guides, infrastructure and controls design, and internal and external stakeholder engagement.

Combining the benefits of building energy efficiency, energy sharing within the system, and highly efficient heat pumps, results in greenhouse gas reductions at 75% below that of business as usual. The one kilometre distribution piping system for Phase One has been largely constructed. The 3 MW Energy Centre is in construction, along with a 570 borehole geoexchange field under the future stormwater retention pond.  Associated Engineering is currently providing full-time construction and contract administration services.