Thermal Energy Utility Infrastructure Solutions

Our professional team brings together the technical, financial, regulatory, compliance, and project management expertise and resources that complex thermal energy projects require. From inception, through development and construction, to ongoing operations – look to Corix as an innovative and trusted partner.

Partnering to Tackle Climate Change

Climate change and other environmental concerns are driving the rapid development of more efficient and sustainable energy infrastructure — especially in high-density urban environments.

In Canada, 13% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions come from building heating and cooling. So improved building efficiency, and moving away from fossil fuels to low-carbon energy sources, can make a significant difference.

Learn about DE's Environmental Benefits

District energy (DE) systems are at the forefront of this evolution, as they can harness economies of scale to produce significant reductions in GHG emissions in a relatively short period of time. They can also take advantage of new,  lower emissions fuel sources — ones available now and ones being developed.

Our own Burnaby Mountain District Energy Utility (BMDEU) uses a combination of clean wood waste and natural gas, which has helped Simon Fraser University's Burnaby campus reduce GHG emissions by 85%.

See how the BMDEU lowered GHG emissions by 85%

Partnering to Reduce Costs

District energy systems can lower heating and cooling costs — through optimal staging of capital and sizing of infrastructure, off-peak pricing, and reduced exposure to fluctuating gas and electricity prices. They may also reduce on-site HVAC costs — capital, maintenance, staffing, regulatory, and safety related costs. And without conventional HVAC infrastructure, building development costs can be decreased and revenue generating space increased. Building owners can also take advantage of carbon pricing programs and government incentives.

Learn about DE's Economic Benefits

Our Thermal Energy Systems

Every thermal energy system presents its own set of challenges and opportunities. Our expertise in the thermal energy field is rooted in the successful deployment of these systems.

District Energy Utilities Owned and Operated by Corix

Beaver Barracks, Ottawa, ON

Bellingham Waterfront District Energy Utility, Bellingham, WA

Burnaby Mountain District Energy Utility, Burnaby, BC

Cleveland Thermal, Cleveland, OH

Dockside Green Energy, Victoria, BC

Oakridge Energy Limited Partnership, Vancouver, BC

Oval Village District Energy Utility, Richmond, BC

Talasa Village District Energy Utility, Kamloops, BC

UBC Neighbourhood District Energy Service, Vancouver, BC

GeoExchange Utilities Owned and Operated by Corix

Sun Rivers Community GeoExchange, Kamloops, BC

The Rise GeoExchange, Vernon, BC

UniverCity GeoExchange, Burnaby, BC

The Corix Advantage

Choosing Corix as your thermal energy utility partner brings numerous benefits to every aspect of your project.

People and Experience

Our energy infrastructure expertise had its beginnings over two decades ago with the development and operation of sustainable GeoExchange systems. Since then, Corix has expanded its energy utilities business to include full-scale DE operations, ranging from high temperature steam to biomass fired hot water and ambient systems.

Our core team of planners, engineers, and operational experts are specialized greenfield district energy professionals, who stay on top of the latest advancements in energy systems design, development, and operation. They also maintain close relationships with other highly specialized professionals, such as industrial architects and mechanical engineers, so any required expertise can be quickly brought in as needed.

Customized Solutions

Every district energy system is unique, and the Corix team doesn’t take a one-size-fits-all approach to technology. We’re largely technology neutral, though we do draw from proven proprietary and third party technology platforms and processes, which can reduce costs and project timelines.

We’re especially experienced in the application of proven district energy technologies, such as biomass, GeoExchange, air-source heat pumps, and waste heat recovery. For instance, our Burnaby Mountain District Energy Utility makes innovative use of clean construction wood waste in its biomass process.

Many of these sources of energy can only partially meet a DE system’s energy requirements, though this is steadily improving. Understanding these limitations and knowing how and when to integrate new energy sources with conventional sources, such as natural gas and electrical grid, is a key to our success in building and operating sustainable DE systems.

Financing

Corix is owned by the British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI), one of the largest institutional investors in North America. Through BCI's active direct infrastructure investment program, Corix has the financial capacity to finance utility infrastructure solutions of varying sizes, all tailored to the unique requirements and scale of each project.

Risk Management

Given our extensive experience developing and operating thermal energy systems, Corix can identify and manage project risks with a high level of confidence and effectiveness. Our just-in-time capital deployment approach mitigates against stranded asset risk and appropriately aligns capital with the growth in energy demand. Our experience with sophisticated counterparties means we can build specific risk transfer considerations into our partnership agreements.

Industry and Regulatory Relationships

Corix has played a significant role in the district energy sector in British Columbia; from being an active contributor to industry associations, such as the International District Energy Association (IDEA), to actively participating in regulatory proceedings that shape and influence the district energy industry in the province. These include the development of the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) Thermal Energy System Framework Guidelines, which is the framework used by the BCUC to regulate thermal energy utilities in BC.

Comprehensive Energy Utilities Expertise

The Corix team has the expertise to bring virtually any thermal energy project from initial concept through to implementation and ongoing operations. With the ability to customize our partnerships, and complement and manage outside resources as required, we can help bring virtually any thermal energy project to life.

Development

• Feasibility Studies
• Evaluation of Energy Sources
• Due Diligence
• Agreement Negotiations
• Regulatory Applications

Project and Contract Management

• Project Design
• Budgets and Capital Plans
• Executing Competitive Bidding Processes
• Project Management
• Construction
• Commissioning

Operations

• Budgets
• Operations and Maintenance
• Asset Management and Renewal
• Technical Compliance
• Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE)
• Developing Standard Operating Procedures and Emergency Response Plans

Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) and Regulatory Affairs

• Financial Modeling
• Budgeting
• Reporting and Compliance
• Agreement Negotiations
• Regulatory Applications