Coun. Alison Gu wants the city to encourage developers to start building district energy systems, particularly in master-planned communities.
Burnaby is setting up its garbage-powered District Energy Utility in Metrotown and Edmonds, and now a city councillor wants the rest of the city to get in on the alternative energy action.
Coun. Alison Gu asked staff to study ways the city can encourage developers to build district energy systems outside of the areas required to hook up to the DEU.
District energy systems are networks of connected pipes that can move thermal energy between buildings for space heating, hot water and cooling, depending on the system.
Burnaby is already home to existing district energy systems including the Burnaby Mountain District Energy Utility at SFU, Solo District in Brentwood and Burnaby Central Secondary School.
Around 38 per cent of Burnaby’s carbon emissions come from buildings, according…


