HCE's Energy Centre HCE's
system produces both heat and electricity from a clean burning natural
gas-fired reciprocating engine connected to a generator and three,
gas-fired boilers. Compared to the typical 40 to 60 per cent efficiency
range for conventional installations, this combined heat and power
technology produces energy at an overall efficiency rating approaching
80 per cent.
Our combined heat and power installation produces
hot water that is distributed by underground pipeline to large buildings
clustered on the west side of downtown Hamilton.
Besides thermal heat, HCE’s Energy Centre produces
3.5 megawatts of electricity, which is routed through the city's
Electrical Distribution System. In the blackout of August 14, 2003, The
HCE Energy Centre provided electricity to keep City Hall up and
running throughout the crisis
How does community energy work? Think of a simple hot water heating system for
a house, with a basement furnace and hot water pipes leading to
radiators in all major rooms. Now expand that concept and overlay
it across several square blocks of downtown Hamilton. Community
energy is essentially a district system that generates heat and,
sometimes, electricity at a central source and distributes it underground
via insulated pipes and conduits to downtown buildings. Without
a community energy system, each commercial, residential or institutional
building typically employs a gas- or oil-fired boiler system
to supply heat. With district heading, these buildings replace their boilers with
modern, efficient heat exchangers to convert the piped-in thermal
energy - usually hot water - to a form that can be used by their
existing heating system. It's an old concept widely employed in
Europe and well proven over many decades of use. Similar systems
now operate in the Ontario communities of Sudbury, Cornwall,
Markham and North Vancouver. Best of all, such systems are
economically competitive and environmentally efficient, thanks to
their inbuilt economies of scale.
Benefits of District Heating Following are some of the benefits to building
owners who choose community energy for heating.
Lower Capital Costs
The long-term costs of replacing heating equipment on-site will
be reduced. Building owners will need to pay only for the installation
of a heat exchanger.
Competitive Energy Costs
HCE rates will be competitive with natural gas, electric heating
and oil.
Low Operating and Maintenance Costs
You don't need trained maintenance staff or maintenance contracts.
Operating, maintenance, administrative, repair and emergency expenses
are greatly reduced because the equipment needed in each building
is minimized and we maintain the energy transfer station that provides heat to your heating system.
Reduced Risk
Customer Insurance rates are reduced because fuels are not
needed on-site.
More Productive Building Space
Valuable space becomes available for other uses because community
energy replaces bulky heating equipment with a much smaller heat
exchange unit. This also eliminates/reduces vibration and noise problems.
Reliable Service
The system is designed with backup capacity in case of equipment
failure at the main energy source. This makes life easier for
customers by providing a high quality, complete heating. Since startup in 2003, HCE heat to customers has never failed.
Community Benefits
A community energy system diversifies energy sources and provides
greater energy self-sufficiency and security. Cost savings also
make the downtown area more attractive to business.
A Cleaner Environment
The Hamilton Community Energy System will reduce emissions of
greenhouse gases and improve the quality of life in the downtown
core.
