As a member of the Sustainability Solutions Group team in 2019-2020, Farallon evaluated options for various configurations of district energy systems, with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from Federal buildings in Ottawa.
Farallon estimated the greenhouse gas emissions from burning natural gas in current operations, and the emissions that would be associated with Renewable Natural Gas, biodiesel, and with diverting residual biomass away from open burning and landfilling and for use as a biofuel. Farallon estimated the capital costs and Lifecycle Cost of Energy estimates for four main scenarios.
Farallon also developed a novel hybrid district energy concept, in which distribution piping designed for conventional hot water and chilled water distribution would be used to exchange energy among heat pump/chillers installed in individual buildings, and with a central borehole field.