Business Model Innovation to Support Air Source Heat Pump Retrofits in Metro Vancouver: What We’ve Learned (August 2020)
Follow up to our initial recommendations on fundamental elements of a new business model to significantly increase the number of electric air source heat pump industry in BC’s lower mainland, this report documents what we’ve learned since introducing the concept to the region including stakeholder input from interviews and outreach.
View / Download FileClosing The Loop - Energy and Resource Recovery in Local Government Infrastructure
“Closing the Loop” places Integrated Resource Recovery into a broader approach we are calling “regenerative infrastructure”. The approach, and its name, is inspired by the concept of regenerative design, which mimics nature’s processes. In nature, there is no waste, as all resources cycle through closed loop systems and serve a purpose.
View / Download FileBusiness Model Innovation to Support Air Source Heat Pump Retrofits in Metro Vancouver
Following a comparison of several heat pump programs in North America along with other strategies and business models, this report recommends fundamental elements of a new business model for the heat pump industry in Metro Vancouver to significantly increase the number of electric air source heat pumps in single family homes.
View / Download FileSmall Scale District Heating Handbook
This handbook is a more detailed and technical companion document to the Small Scale Biomass District Heating Guide.
View / Download FileSmall Scale Biomass District Heating Guide
The ‘Small-scale Biomass District Heating Guide’ is written primarily for local governments and First Nations elected officials and staff to support an active local government and band role in the development of clean energy and a green economy. The Guide supports the growing number of small communities across British Columbia interested in making a business case for biomass district heating.
View / Download FileInvesting in Green Energy Projects and Utilities - Volume 2: Case Studies
Investing in Green Energy Projects and Utilities - Volume 1: Investment Guide
Volume 1 of the guide provides detailed guidance on financing and governance for green energy project and utilities
View / Download FileFIRSTHeat
FIRST Heat is is an accessible screening-level calculator for fire interface risk management and use of that fiber for community heating. Three institutions have been involved in a study to facilitate the first steps of this planning to communities: the University of British Columbia, and BC-based non-profit organizations Community Energy Association and Wood Waste to Rural Heat Project. The partnership brings together forest ecosystem modelling and research with expert knowledge on alternative energy technologies and effective outreach to help bridge the gap between alternative energy planning and implementation for small communities that may not have the capacity to conduct such feasibility studies themselves.
View / Download FileHeating Our Communities
Heating Our Communities has been written for local government elected officials and staff interested in encouraging the use of renewable sources of energy for heating in communities.
Iis one module of the Community Energy Association's Renewable Energy Guide for Local Governments in British Columbia. Other modules of this guide include:
- Policy and Governance Tools (how local governments can encourage and mandate use of renewable energy in the community)
- Utilities and Financing, which presents options for local governments to own and operate renewable energy projects and utilities
- Powering Our Communities, which describes renewable electricity opportunities
Surrey Ground-source Heat Pump Study
This report, prepared by the Community Energy Association, introduces GSHP technology, suggests options for encouraging GSHPs in the community, and illustrates possibilities for City involvement in the ownership and operation of GSHP systems. The report does not address the financial cost-effectiveness or technical considerations of installing ground-source heat pumps.
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