Reshape has supported the ongoing development of district energy at Simon Fraser University for fifteen years. In 2009, the Simon Fraser University (SFU) Community Trust engaged Reshape to help select a private sector owner and operator for a proposed new district energy system serving Phases 3 and 4 of its UniverCity development, a new residential neighbourhood being developed on Trust lands under long-term ground leases. District energy was seen as a unique opportunity to achieve ambitious sustainability objectives for the development.

As part of this initial assignment, Reshape helped:
• Prepare an initial Expression of Interest;
• Select a preferred proponent (Corix);
• Negotiate of a Memorandum of Understanding with Corix for the due diligence phase;
• Guide and review due diligence undertaken by Corix;
• Negotiate a comprehensive Infrastructure Agreement with Corix for the delivery of the district energy system;
• Review and support the Corix application to the BC Utilities Commission for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity.

The system at UniverCity went into operation in 2011.

As part of the original due diligence, the parties also explored possible options and synergies for a shared low-carbon energy plant serving both UniverCity and SFU’s campus district energy system. In 2011, SFU Utilities engaged Reshape to review due diligence on a shared plant conducted by Corix, support negotiations of definitive agreements for SFU to purchase baseload low-carbon energy from a shared biomass plant owned and operated by Corix Utilities, and to prepare a final business case for SFU Board Approval. Reshape was involved in all elements of the definitive agreements, including cost sharing provisions, design specifications, performance guarantees, and rates. A major consideration in the negotiations was structuring the agreement to ensure off-balance sheet treatment by the Univercity’s auditors. Following execution of the definitive agreements in 2016, Reshape continued to support SFU in its review of Corix’s long-term fuel purchase agreement for the plant, detailed plant design, and various regulatory applications. The shared plant was commissioned in late 2020. Reshape has continued to support SFU through a review of the actual outcomes of the project relative to the original business case and interventions in periodic rate applications by Corix.