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Markham District Energy breaks ground on the world’s largest WET project

Markham District Energy (MDE) has broken ground on the world’s largest wastewater energy transfer (WET) project at Markham, Ont.’s Low Carbon Energy Centre (LCEC). The groundbreaking ceremony took place on July 16, with stakeholders from MDE and local governments honouring the project’s expected role in significantly curbing carbon output. When complete, the project is expected to reduce MDE’s carbon emissions from thermal energy production by 30,000 tonnes per year and add to the LCEC’s current carbon reductions of 13,000 tonnes per year. “Today represents a milestone in our 25-year history,” said Bruce Ander, president and CEO of MDE. “The WET project not only further positions MDE 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.” The project makes use of several funding programs from the Federal Government, including $16.7 million from the Low Carbon Economy Fund, $8.2 million from the Green Municipal Fund, and a $135 million loan facility from the Canada Infrastructure Bank combined with a $135 million facility with CIBC. Additional support of $700,000 was provided by Enbridge Gas from several demand-side management and fuel-switching grant programs. An additional investment of $24.9 million from the Federal Government was announced at the groundbreaking ceremony. This investment will go towards a new 18.5 megawatt wastewater heat recovery system to further reduce the network’s natural gas consumption and a new 500 kilowatt biomass pellet boiler that will further reduce emissions by over 700,000 tonnes over the project’s lifetime. “We are empowering homegrown innovators, like Markham District Energy, to turn their ideas into economic success stories,” said Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, who was in attendance. “By investing in cutting-edge technology, we are making energy more affordable – saving residents and businesses money on their energy bills – while also reducing emissions and creating good-paying jobs.”           MDE is an energy company owned by the City of Markham and a leading developer of municipally-owned district energy systems. MDE’s network delivers cost-efficient heating and cooling to over 240 buildings in Markham and Cornell Centre. www.markhamdistrictenergy.com The post Markham District Energy breaks ground on the world’s largest WET project appeared first on HPAC Magazine.