News
Energy loop for the Angus technopole eco-district
Update on the project: :
The Société de Développement Angus (SDA) is staying ahead of the curve by opting for performance, with an energy loop as part of the development of the central island on the former industrial site of the Canadian Pacific Railway Limited.
Before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s look at the concept of an energy loop.
What is an energy loop…?
An energy loop is a system designed to promote the exchange of energy on the community or neighborhood scale. An energy loop allows the integration of one or more energy sources to meet energy needs.
Contemporary developments in energy loops include heat rejection or more innovative technologies: aerothermal, geothermal or biomass. They aim to maximize energy recovery and internal energy exchange, making for a more efficient and eco-responsible use of energy, minimizing dependence on fossil energy sources, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
“The energy loop acts like a sponge, making it possible to absorb heat coming from an air-conditioned room or from the outside air, and sending it back to a room in need of heat,” explains Laure Rochas.
The 5th generation?
Fifth generation networks are closed loops at low temperatures which favour energy exchanges between neighboring buildings, before resorting to external energy sources.
Unlike traditional urban heating, each building’s energy production is decentralized, with heat pumps allowing for energy exchange on the network, and flows determined on demand. This allows for the recovery of heat emissions by certain emitters (supermarkets, data centers, factories, offices, or housing) to be redirected to heat energy seekers (housing, domestic hot water production), recovering local heat output.
Fifth generation heating and cooling networks represent a significant advancement in the design of urban energy systems, aiming to create low-carbon, energy-efficient communities.
The challenge of energy loops
Implementing such an innovative project comes with great challenges, but Énergère is proud to report that this innovative loop is already performing well.
The unique aspect of the Angus Technopole energy loop is in the design. It had to be carried out before knowing the use of the different buildings – a real headache for the teams! That’s what led to the choice of a 5th generation energy loop. The loop and the technology used had to be flexible, and the temperatures and operating modes needed to be compatible between the different blocks.
The energy loop is an evolving piece of infrastructure which allows for the integration of other technologies over time. These may be existing technologies that are becoming more economical (solar thermal technologies), new heat emitters onsite, or even other new solutions that are appearing on the market.
What are the expected outcomes?
The Angus Technopole eco-district’s energy loop primarily uses heat pumping and aerothermal technologies, combined with state-of-the-art automation, ensuring user comfort while optimizing energy consumption.
Thanks to these technologies and the loop itself, free heat exchanges take place between users of the each block, and between blocks, optimizing energy consumption and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Discover the video explaining two-stage aerothermal energy (french only): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epNo_BPdQD0
Grants to finance the project
Over the years, Énergère teams have developed expertise in financing energy efficiency and decarbonization measures. Optimizing financial assistance makes it possible to considerably reduce the return-on-investment period (PRI) of our clients’ energy efficiency projects, making it possible to optimally reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
For the Angus Technopole eco-district’s energy loop, several subsidies were obtained:
- Énergir: Efficient Equipment and Efficient New Construction Programs
- Hydro Québec: Innovative Projects Program – formerly Support Program for Sustainable Urban Development Projects (DUD)
Note the VRT program, Valorization of thermal discharges did not yet exist on the date of construction of the buildings.
Previous article on the SDA energy loop: https://energere.com/boucle-energetique-au-technopole-angus/
Other inspiring articles on Energère projects: https://energere.com/bilan-2023-energere/
About :
Société de Développement Angus (SDA), is a social economy enterprise carrying out real estate projects promoting urban revitalization by relying on the principles of sustainable development, generating significant benefits for the local community.
