The Globe and Mail profiles Victoria B.C.'s community of Dockside Green, which, in addition to being an infill development, is powered by a district energy system.
The development on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, is gaining international attention because of its success in implementing a district energy system fuelled by reclaimed construction waste.
"Dockside Green blooms on land that was long underused, faded industrial ground that was once home to whaling boats and shipbuilders. The neighbourhood is now bustling, vibrant and home to businesses and hundreds of people occupying about 270 units. [Its district energy] system...slashes the buildings' energy needs by more than 80 per cent [and] saves the community $500,000 a year. Another $100,000 is saved because green energy means carbon taxes don't have to be sent across the Victoria harbour to the treasury at the provincial legislature.
About one-third complete, (it opened in 2007-2008) it's being hailed as one of the greenest communities in the world."
Read the full story: Victoria's 'district energy' community a model for Canada and beyond
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