Advancing Integared Community Energy Systems

Given concerns over the effects of climate change, the expected increase in energy costs and the importance placed on the establishment of resilient, economically attractive and vibrant compact communities, there is renewed interest from all levels of government and the private sector to focus on advancing the use of integrated community energy systems (ICES), such as district energy and distributed energy.

Although district energy is a proven application for the management of energy and for incorporating various fuel sources, successful start-ups of district energy systems still experience major challenges. Many of these challenges experienced while initiating a district energy system and other ICES initatives result from a lack of public awareness and support from key stakeholders and decision makers  for how ICES can contribute to meeting the energy and sustainable development objectives of a community.

How We can Help Your Community or Utility

We are engagement and energy specialists. We have specific experience designing broad-based engagement strategies and in providing decision support processes for key decision makers concerning ICES.  Our clients are typically public sector corporations, all orders of government and NGO’s. We work with elected officials, government staff, NGO’s, corporate leaders, diverse socio-economic and ethno cultural communities, youth and professionals to ensure an open and transparent flow of information. We add value by working with senior management to address issues and to get agreement on a strategic approach before we begin the operational components of an assignment.

We help transform the language of planning, design and engineering into plain language and concepts that are easier to understand. We create effective communication and good working relations between the public, key stakeholders and multi-disciplinary technical teams of consultants working on complex projects. We are used to working on high profile projects in the municipal environment.

Through the CUI’s work on matters related to district energy and other ICES activities, we understand the renewed interest of municipalities, local distribution companies and businesses to advance district energy. The Institute has advanced the concept of district energy innovation and the use of renewable and alternative energy sources since its inception, including the development of the first feasibility studies for the world renowned deep lake water cooling initiative operated by Enwave in Toronto.

Our Approach

System Knowledge and Know-How - We bring over 10 years worth of knowledge about the policy and decision-making challenges associated with advancing district energy and ICES. Through our work with utilities and system operators, we know the important decision-making points and where decision-support is required. As a community begins to consider the potential for district energy and ICES, it becomes important to identify and involve stakeholders in the project. We focus on identifying all relevant stakeholders and sequencing in critical informants to help advance consensus and interest.  

Expert Facilitation and Engagement Process Design - Engagement guides our approach and is the central process of our methodology. Consultation provides an invaluable source of information and it builds strong working relationships and lays the groundwork for support for the recommendations and the partnerships that will be required for success moving forward.  We combine our big picture strategic thinking with expert implementation of the “mechanics” of good process. Our team has the experience to create an engagement process in which people and organizations feel that they have been listened to and that their issues and ideas are reflected in the recommendations. We understand that this is how residents and stakeholders become effective participants and ultimately strong supporters for district energy and ICES.

Strong Preparation – The CUI is engaged at the forefront of policy discussion and research on district energy and ICES, undertaking the only two national surveys of system operators in Canada in the last 10 years. The Institute serves as the secretariat to the Canadian District Energy Association (CDEA). Through this partnership, the Institute has developed a solid understanding of the real barriers to initiating systems, the decision support required for decisions-makers to implement a strategic approach and a recognized process for building relationships and partnerships to facilitate effective participation and decision-making.

Contact us to learn more about utility and district energy market support

Please contact Glenn Miller, Vice President, Education and Research  or Jeff Evenson, Principal, Connecter, for more information.

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