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March 2011
CanNord 2011 - Sustainability Days in Toronto on March 23-24

The CanNord 2011 conference on Sustainable Solutions for Urban Life will highlight the challenges in creating sustainable urban solutions. Do not miss out on this unique event to learn from countries and cities at the forefront of eco-friendly urban life.

Visit www.cannord.com for more information.

March 4, 2011
Combined Heat and Power Standard Offer Program Seminar

Please join us on March 4th, 2011 for an interactive seminar, hosted by the Canadian District Energy Association, and involving senior representatives of the Ontario Power Authority and experts in the design and implementation of small scale (< 20 MW) CHP generation.

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January 24, 2011
Logstor signs large contract in China

The LOGSTOR Group signs a five‐year agreement valued at more than DKK 3 billion with the city of Harbin, a city of approx. 10 million inhabitants in the northeastern part of China.

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December 15, 2010
An Assessment of District Energy Opportunities

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October 26, 2010
A new European kid on your block: District energy systems

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December 2009
IDEA heads to Copenhagen to showcase green gold

12.10.2009 – BOSTON -- As Rob Thornton, president of the International District Energy Association, heads to the U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP15) in Copenhagen today, he knows something that many do not: The world’s energy and environmental policy leaders in attendance will be meeting, eating, sleeping and blogging in buildings served with clean thermal energy from one of the world’s best-kept secrets—district heating.

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"District Energy: Now's the Time"

IDEA has produced an exciting nine-minute video, "District Energy:Now's the Time," to help explain district energy technology and its numerous benefits for customers and communities. The video helps introduce district energy to community leaders, campus officials, policy makers and potential customers.

Download Medium-Res Video Here (59 MB)
Download Low-Res Video Here (23 MB)

April 2009 - Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
U.S. Clean Energy and Climate Change Redux

On March 31, 2009, U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Rep. Henry A. Waxman and Energy and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Edward J. Market released a discussion draft of The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009. Find out why Canadian companies should pay particular attention to the domestic competitiveness provisions of the Draft.

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April 2009 - Danish Board of District Heating
Experiments in District Heating

EnerWorks officials have their eyes on a solar thermal venture in tiny Okotoks, Alberta. For the past year, the Drake Landing subdivision in the prairie town has been a testing ground for an innovative variation on traditional district heating — one that sources and stores heat with solar panels and geothermal tubing.

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March/ April 2009 - Summit
Purchasing District Energy Services: A Case for Life-Cycle Analysis

Find out how to properly evaluate a district energy proposal through life-cycle analysis. This process accounts for all of the costs associated with producing space heating, domestic hot water and cooling on-site (commodities, operation, maintenance and capital) over a 20 to 40 year period and compares it to the district energy proposal.

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March 2009 - New Brunswick Business Journal
Is there enough biomass?

The general manager of the East Papers division of Fraser Papers in Edmundston wonders whether there is enough biomass in the province – since other firms are eyeing cogeneration as a way to insulate themselves from ever-increasing power rates.

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March 2009 - CBC News
Utilities, Government Charged Up About High-Tech Power-Distribution Systems

The Green Energy Act the Ontario government introduced in late February covers a lot of ground. One element that might not have caught many people's attention is provision for a smart grid -  a modernized electrical distribution system designed to support electric cars and co-generation projects and make electricity supply more reliable.

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March 2009 - Canadian District Energy Association
CDEA Green Energy Act Comments

The CDEA submitted comments to the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure on Bill 150, the Green Energy Act, highlighting the potential of district energy and combined heat and power.

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March 2, 2009 - IDEA Association Update
Stimulus Bill Funding Announcement for District Energy/CHP/Efficiency

The US Department of Energy has posted this Notice of Intent to Issue a Funding Opportunity Announcement under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (i.e. The Stimulus Bill). The DOE program will provide $106 Million in Stimulus Funding for District Energy, Combined Heat and Power and Waste Energy Recovery projects. There is an additional $50 Million in program funding for Efficient Industrial Equipment. A notable change from the earlier version of this program is that eligibility has now been expanded to include public and private entities. Please visit the link for additional details.
IDEA members are urged to review the conditions for submittal and to take full advantage of the program offering to construct and expand facilities and to implement energy efficiency projects.

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February 2009 - Canadian District Energy Association
CDEA Green Energy Act Endorsement

The CDEA supports the stated intent of the Green Energy Act to remove policy and regulatory constraints that currently stand in the way of accelerating the uptake of renewable and alternative energy sources such as biomass, wind and solar projects that will benefit consumers throughout Ontario.

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January 27, 2009
Overview of Canada’s Economic Action Plan

Budget 2009 provides a comprehensive plan to stimulate our economy, restore confidence, support Canadian families during the current global downturn and invest in
the foundations of long-term economic growth.

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Jan 19, 2009
The Green Economy Action Fund

Power Up Canada - A bold federal initiative to supercharge growth in the green economy, harmonize with Obama’s five million jobs surge, and incentivize provincial action.

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Dec 29, 2008
MOE releases Water Guidelines for Drinking Water Systems 2008

Replacing the 1984 Design Guideline for Drinking Water Systems, the revised guidelines, Design Guidelines for Drinking-Water Systems 2008, include up-to-date engineering design recommendations for the treatment, storage and distribution of drinking water using established technologies applicable to Ontario conditions. The guidelines clarify the process by which new technologies may be established for full scale application in Ontario. The guidelines include new and updated information that reflects current Ontario practice, applicable legislation and current ministry policies.  Comments were received from eleven (11) different groups including municipalities, engineers, environmental and legal associations and operating agencies related to the Design Guidelines for Drinking-Water Systems. 

See section on chapter 12 ‘Challenging Conditions’ … starting on page 277. Highlights with respect to pre-insulated pipe include:

• Areas of challenging conditions from strictly northern communities widened to include urban areas where above ground piping / shallow bury is necessary
• New reference to ambient soil temps based on freeze index days
• Pre-insulated pipe replaces rigid board as the standard (not the alternative) method of protecting against freezing in challenging conditions … section 12.7.2.3 on page 281 and 12.8.4.3 on page 284
• Mechanical bleeders called “least desirable” and to be used “as last resort”
• Mention of special consideration when heat tracing plastic pipe and specific reference to constant wattage cable / to consult one stop manufacturer of entire system for support
• Design considerations include voltage; power points, max circuit lengths and power consumption
• Reference to urethane foam as preferred insulation material … section 12.8.4.3 on page 284
• Specific reference to pre-insulated duct for service piping

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