Page 12 - U4SSC Case study: Energy efficiency in buildings, June 2020

Results

While the initial drivers for this project still hold true today, DLWC has generated significant additional
benefits since its implementation. Realized and projected benefits from DLWC include the following:

• As part of the initial construction of DLWC, Enwave upgraded city infrastructure and provided
backup power to the city’s potable water distribution pumps.

• DLWC has displaced an estimated 1391 kg of CFCs.
• DLWC has displaced an estimated 61 MW of electricity demand. With future expansions planned,
this avoided demand is expected to increase to a total of 74 MW. Displacing electricity demand eases
the strain on the electricity grid in downtown Toronto, which is heavily burdened and projected to
exceed capacity within the next few years due to Toronto’s rapid growth.
• DLWC reduces cooling tower use, saving potable water consumption and related energy used in
the treatment process.
• DLWC reduces buildings’ electricity consumption for cooling by an average of 75 per cent compared
with conventional chillers.

• DLWC has contributed to economic development in the city by retaining money spent on energy
within the local economy and establishing a centre for innovation in district energy in Toronto. Over
the past 10 years, more than 116 million Canadian dollars of capital has been invested in expansions
of the DLWC distribution network.

• DHR has the potential to reduce GHG emissions by a projected 37 000 tCO e per year relative to
2
that produced by conventional natural-gas fired boilers, provide a new model for low-carbon heating
in Canada, and foster further economic development for the city.

6 Case study: Energy efficiency in buildings, June 2020