Lonsdale Energy operates the community energy system in the City of North Vancouver.
We proudly serve over 15,000 residents in the Lower Lonsdale, Central Lonsdale, Moodyville and Marine Harbourside areas. Our community energy system is the second-largest system of its kind in Metro Vancouver.
What is a community energy system?
Community energy systems, also known as district energy, are centralized systems that create and distribute thermal energy—either heat or cooling—to many buildings within a specific area.
Lonsdale Energy provides this service in the City of North Vancouver. By connecting to us, buildings no longer require a separate heating or cooling system. Instead, buildings receive thermal energy from one of our energy centres, which generates enough energy to allow residents to warm their living room, have a hot shower, or run their dishwasher.
How does a community energy system work?
Here's how the process works:
- Step 1: Energy Generation
The process begins at an energy centre, where heat is produced using a variety of energy sources simultaneously. Our sources currently include natural gas, renewable natural gas, geoexchange, solar, and heat recovery. In 2025, electric boilers will be added to the system, and by 2027, sewer heat recovery will provide a large portion of the energy needed. - Step 2: Energy Distribution
The heat is carried by water pipes buried underground to all the buildings that are a part of the community energy system. This water is extremely hot, reaching temperatures around 65°C. - Step 3: Energy Transfer
When the hot water arrives at the building, it passes through a heat exchanger that transfers the heat into the building’s heating distribution system. The heat is cycled throughout the building, allowing customers to use it for various purposes, such as warming their rooms, having a hot shower, or running their dishwasher. - Step 4: Energy Return, Reheating, and Recirculation
Any remaining heat energy that is not used by the building residents is returned to the energy centre, where it's reheated and then recirculated back into the system. This continuous loop ensures that energy is not wasted.
