Pipeline to Greener Days: Energy Services Acquisition Program (ESAP)

As we celebrate Earth Day, we note that ESAP represents more than just a series of infrastructure projects in the capital – it underscores a collective effort towards a more sustainable National Capital Region, from pipeline to premises.

The Energy Savings Acquisition Program (ESAP) is a particular project that Tiree has had the pleasure of working on, set to realize a 63% reduction in annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions over the 2005 established baseline by the Government of Canada. This multi-phased program of work supports Canada’s Greening Strategy and the modernization of the Public Services and Procurement Canada’s (PSPC) district energy systems. Here's more on ESAP’S heating and cooling journey to a greener tomorrow.

Picture this: it is a brilliant spring afternoon, and you’re traversing the National Capital Region on your trek to work. You’re surrounded by a juxtaposition of distinctive buildings – ranging from Gothic Revival architecture and intricate, ornamental masonry to state-of-the-art, sleek high rises adorned with terraces and green roofs. From the outside, these buildings are architecturally diverse, varying in size and age. However, from the inside, most of these buildings share a commonality: their interior heating and cooling systems are maintained by a district energy system (DES), fed through pipes from energy centers situated around the National Capital Region (NCR).

In 2019, PSPC partnered with Innovate Energy to design, construct and refit these energy centres, which provide heating services to 80 buildings and cooling services to 67 buildings in the NCR. Known as heating and cooling plants, some of these centres have existed in the capital for decades, but only upon entering this public-private partnership has the decision been made to phase out the old heating and cooling system, replacing high-emission steam with low-temperature hot water, significantly reducing environmental impact.

This innovative European technology incorporates both free river water pumping and electric heating and/or chilling. The thermal energy is transported through a network of direct bury piping, which involves laying the pipes in the ground in a relatively shallow trench on a bed of compacted sand, enveloped by a plastic sleeve that goes over the insulation to prevent the pipes from damage. An array of high-profile buildings are plugged into this network, including the Parliamentary Precinct, the Bank of Canada Building, and the National Arts Centre (NAC), to name a few.

The updated energy infrastructure includes new energy plants such as Tunney’s Pasture and the Gatineau Energy Centre, while Confederation Heights and the Cliff Energy Centre will undergo extensive restoration. To put the power of these heating and cooling centres into perspective, the Cliff Energy Centre will include a new 60-megawatt natural gas low-temperature hot water heating plant – this is enough thermal energy to heat roughly 3,600 average homes.

This upgrade not only enhances safety by eliminating the risks associated with steam systems, but also significantly reduces energy loss during transmission. Simply put, the low-temperature hot water system is akin to pouring yourself a cup of hot tea. Just as the heat dissipates gradually from the tea and into the cup’s walls, so does the thermal energy within the insulated pipes underground. As it stands, water will be entering the pipes at 95 degrees Celsius, but the intention over time is to reduce that temperature to 70 degrees Celsius.

ESAP not only embodies the technical aspects – the project also seeks to deepen the intersectionality between community engagement and education. Sites like Tunney’s Energy Centre and the Cliff Energy Centre will include immersive features, such as a vision glass curtain wall system for public viewing of the generation equipment and a Visitors Education Centre, inviting the public to learn about and engage with this transformative technology.

Currently in Stage 1, ESAP will realize substantial performance by October 2025, with the goal of increasing energy efficiency and reducing operating costs by $400 million. Stage 2 is set to achieve even deeper greening initiatives, such as the addition of geo exchange technology (using the ground like a battery to store heat in the summer for use in the winter), waste heat recovery and the integration of renewable energy gas.

Tiree is proud of our longstanding partnership with PSPC in providing project management support services. By embracing innovation and collective action, we can build a future where sustainability is not just a goal, but a way of life. Among our unique and contrasting cityscape, let’s continue to pave the way towards a greener, more resilient planet for generations to come.

To learn more about ESAP's contribution to making our energy systems more sustainable, click here .