Heat from the Telus (TSX:T) data centre will be captured and reused in a district energy system being built as part of the $750 million Telus Garden project.
The district energy system is being built in partnership with FortisBC and real-estate developer Westbank Corp.
Data centres consume huge amounts of electricity and generate heat, which is often wasted. The new district energy system will capture heat from the data centre, as well as from the Telus Garden’s cooling system, and reuse it.
Telus says the heat recycling will reduce CO2 emissions by 1,000 tonnes per year and achieve 80% energy efficiency.
The heat capture will provide heating and cooling for the new office and residential towers, commercial spaces and amenities, and to heat domestic hot water for both towers.
“The Telus Garden district energy system represents a shift in how we think about and utilize energy,” said Andrea Goertz, Telus’ senior vice-present of strategic initiatives and communications.
“By recovering energy that would normally be lost and putting it to good use, we are innovating through design to create one of the most environmentally friendly urban communities in North America.”
Telus Garden is a one-million-square-foot complex that will include a 24-storey office, a 53-storey, 425-unit residential tower and retail space on Robson and Georgia streets. Located next to the SkyTrain, it will also include facilities for bicycles and charging stations for electric cars.
