Vancouver-based neighbourhood energy company, Creative Energy, was presented with an award recognizing 50 years of reliable energy distribution at the
Vancouver-based neighbourhood energy company, Creative Energy, was presented with an award recognizing 50 years of reliable energy distribution at the recent International District Energy Association's annual conference. — Photo courtesy Creative Energy
Creative Energy, a Vancouver-based neighbourhood energy company, was presented with an award recognizing 50 years of reliable, sustainable energy distribution at the International District Energy Association’s (“IDEA”) annual conference.
As owner and operator of one of the largest thermal energy networks in Canada, Creative Energy delivers sustainable energy to its customers in downtown Vancouver with a 99.9% reliability rate, contributing to the city’s leadership in environmental stewardship and energy efficiency. For 50 years, Creative Energy has been a leader in innovative neighbourhood energy solutions, growing its district energy platform in metro Vancouver and beyond to deliver flexible, low-carbon energy systems that support community and economic development while benefitting the environment.
“We are proud to be helping Vancouver to lower emissions and reach its environmental goals by providing cost-effective, efficient, sustainable and reliable energy,” said Jack Bittan, interim President and Chief Executive Officer of Creative Energy. “This recognition from IDEA and our global peers is a great honour for the Creative Energy team, particularly as we expand our proven energy solutions platform across North America to support urban growth while enhancing sustainability and livability for citizens and future generations.”
“On behalf of the Board of Directors and 2300+ members of IDEA, it’s my pleasure to recognize the team at Creative Energy on their 50th anniversary of operations in Vancouver,” said IDEA President and Chief Executive Officer Rob Thornton. “From its origins as Central Heat Vancouver in 1968, the district energy system serving downtown Vancouver has been an active member of IDEA, with founder Jim Barnes receiving IDEA’s highest individual honor, the Norm Taylor Award, at his retirement in 1990. Fifty years is a remarkable milestone for any organization and we are especially pleased to applaud Creative Energy during our 109th Annual Conference here in Vancouver, BC.”
Creative Energy partners with building developers, municipalities and other institutions such as universities, schools or hospitals to provide tailored energy solutions and infrastructure. Creative Energy is currently delivering 10 innovative neighbourhood energy systems in Canada, including at Oakridge in Vancouver, Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver, and Mirvish Village in Toronto. These projects, which incorporate a range of environmentally-friendly technologies, including cooling and cooling heat recovery, ocean exchange, geoexchange, and combined heat and power, will collectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 8,150 tonnes annually compared with conventional energy systems, the equivalent of removing 1,500 automobiles from the road, and are expected to create more than 2,000 direct and indirect jobs during construction. Additional future projects for Creative Energy include a new district energy site in Vancouver using urban wood waste, which would further reduce the city’s greenhouse gas emissions by 80,000 tonnes annually, the equivalent of removing 14,000 vehicles from the road.
The International District Energy Association works with its members to actively foster sustainable energy solutions for mission critical and community-scale markets with the goal of optimizing energy efficiency and emissions reductions through broader application district energy and thermal networks, combined heat and power, thermal storage, and clean energy management. Visit www.districtenergy.org.
