Enwave broke ground today on a new low-carbon heat pump facility at their Pearl Street Energy Centre. The project is expected supply enough green heat to reduce emissions in Toronto by about 11,600 tCO2e, which is equal to converting more than 10 million square feet of office space to net zero.
The three-storey facility, on track for completion by 2024, will be a boon for buildings targeting the highest level of Toronto Green Standards as well as Zero Carbon Building certifications from the Canadian Green Building Council.
“Buildings in Toronto generate more than half of our city’s greenhouse gas emissions,” Toronto Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie said in a statement. “New technologies, like Enwave’s expanded heat delivery system, will play a critical role in the reduction of our cumulative carbon footprint. The City of Toronto is proud to partner with Enwave to help fulfill our TransformTO Net Zero Strategy and reach net zero by 2040.”
At street level, bold graphics and educational displays will articulate Enwave’s vision for efficient, affordable low-carbon energy delivery, and their commitment to net zero. Select glazed areas of the building will display the latest equipment at work.
The existing 60-year-old building at 120 Pearl Street will undergo updates, with a complete recladding of the façade using modern materials such as black metal, aluminum, and windows with a frittered glass pattern.
The new facility is made possible by the installation of new assets that recycle district waste heat to produce hot water via electrification using dual-use heat pumps, electric feeds, and generators. This technology is optimized due to the scale and magnitude of buildings connected to Enwave’s heating and cooling district.
“The addition of a low carbon heating facility to our Pearl Street Energy Centre is a significant milestone for us and Toronto’s district energy grid, because it allows us to provide decarbonization at scale,” said Carlyle Coutinho, CEO of Enwave Energy Corporation. “As leaders in the energy transition, we are always looking at innovative ways to expand our positive impact and serve even more of Ontario’s residents, institutions, and businesses.”
The Pearl Street Energy Centre expansion and renewal project is funded through Canada’s Low Carbon Economy Fund, Champions Stream and a $600-million loan commitment from the Canada Infrastructure Bank to accelerate the scale and build-out of Enwave’s low carbon systems in Toronto and Mississauga.
“As world leaders focus on global climate action, our innovative investment is a tremendous opportunity to make urban communities greener and more sustainable,” said Ehren Cory, CEO, Canada Infrastructure Bank. “The district energy projects will benefit those who live and work in Toronto for generations to come.”
Feature photo: The groundbreaking of Enwave’s Pearl Street low-carbon heating facility in downtown Toronto. From left to right: Sashen Guneratna (Managing Director, Investments, Canada Infrastructure Bank), Carlyle Coutinho (CEO, Enwave Energy Corporation), and Todd Smith (Minister of Energy, Government of Ontario).
