In 2020, Metro Vancouver engaged a Reshape-led team to study the opportunity to build a district heating network fueled by heat from Metro Vancouver’s existing Waste-to-Energy Facility, located in Burnaby. This is an opportunity to provide thermal energy to buildings in Burnaby, Vancouver, and New Westminster at a highly competitive cost—without impacting solid waste operations—and with no incremental GHG emissions.
Our team studied several possible technical configurations and ownership models and developed recommendations as to how Metro Vancouver could advance the project. Reshape’s role included:
- Leading the development of the business case
- Coordinating all technical subcontractors (KWL, Devcco, LR Power)
- Assessing ownership options
- Supporting Metro Vancouver in the negotiation of key agreements with relevant stakeholders
Based on the results of this study, the first phase of this project is under development. This phase is set to be completed and in-service by 2025, and includes the construction of the heat recovery centre adjacent to the Waste-to-Energy Facility, as well as the transmission line to the system’s first customer, the River District neighbourhood in Vancouver. The second phase of this project will connect service areas in Burnaby.
At buildout, the project has the potential to provide 50 MW of waste heat to up to 100 million square feet of new and existing buildings. The total project capital cost for all phases is over $200 M. Reshape continues to support Metro Vancouver on this initiative.
