The Project
As part of re-envisioning a previously under-utilized 15-acre site on the shores of Victoria’s Upper Harbour, the Dockside Green master development is designed to function as a largely self-sufficient, sustainable community where waste from one area provides fuel or inputs for another.
The Opportunity
Deliver reliable, cost-effective, and environmentally responsible utility services to the Dockside Green community. Corix has been a key partner in delivering sustainable utility services to residents of Dockside Green since assuming an ownership stake and full operational responsibilities of the district energy system in 2008. In 2018, Corix became the sole owner of Dockside Green Energy following approval from the British Columbia Utilities Commission.
The Solution
Many elements of the original environmentally forward concept were successfully implemented, including LEED Platinum buildings, on-site stormwater storage, design features to encourage re-use of water and energy, and a wastewater treatment plant using recovered waste heat from sewage and greywater. Yet the vision for a biomass-based renewable energy centre was met with various technological challenges and lower-than-expected energy profiles due to development delays. As the Dockside Green community continues to grow, Corix will provide the necessary investment to integrate a low-carbon energy solution to ensure the long-term viability of energy service for decades to come while continuing to build upon the legacy of this transformational community. Future low-carbon energy sources are currently under evaluation in order to identify suitable technologies to decarbonize the district energy system in the near future.
The Energy System
The Dockside Green district energy system currently has a capacity of 2.4 MWt and provides space heating and domestic hot water services to 354,000 square feet of connected floor space. In 2021, Corix replaced a large, non-condensing natural gas-fired boiler with three smaller, more efficient, condensing boilers that are housed in the Energy Centre. As the development grows and energy demand increases, the system will transition to a low-carbon energy source, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and ensuring reliable, resilient service for decades to come.
