Community Energy Systems Program

The Community Energy Systems Program (CES) helps Canadian communities meet their energy needs more efficiently and cost-effectively.

The program identifies and develops opportunities for the use of district heating and cooling, combined heat and power (co-generation), waste heat recovery, thermal storage, and local sources of renewable energy, particularly biomass.

Interests include:

• planning and implementing projects in both urban centres and remote communities;
• developing software for system design;
• improving performance of district cooling systems; and
• promoting and fostering the adoption of integrated energy systems.

Summary

CES operates a laboratory to test and develop district energy technologies. This enables systems to be simulated and to provide quick responses to clients' problems. In addition to serving all three levels of government, the CES's clients also include engineering firms, energy equipment manufacturers and utilities.

Clients use the program's capabilities to:

• develop community energy plans;
• conduct feasibility studies;
• design district heating and cooling systems;
• help with project management;
• conduct trouble-shooting that requires specialized expertise;
• develop system-design software;
• develop innovative enhancements to new and existing equipment;
• develop new district cooling technologies;
• write technical and promotional manuals; and
• help link system suppliers with potential adopters.

Criteria for project funding include:

• technical merit;
• leveraging;
• Canadian content;
• innovativeness;
• community impacts;
• economic considerations; and
• environmental considerations.

Quebec Contact(s):
See National Contact.

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National Contact(s):
Sustainable Buildings and Communities Group
CANMET Energy Technology Centre (Ottawa) - CANMET-O
Natural Resources Canada
13th floor, 580 Booth Street
Ottawa, Ontario  K1A 0E4
Telephone: 613-992-1832
TTY (hearing impaired): 613-996-4397
E-mail: webmaster@sbc.nrcan.gc.ca