Our Downtown Renewable Energy System (DRES) is a district energy system that distributes heat to nearly a dozen downtown buildings. The system uses sawmill residuals (often known as “wood waste”) to heat water that is pumped through more than three kilometres of underground piping.
This fuel source is local, renewable, and carbon-neutral, and Prince George has one of only a handful of municipal district energy systems in Canada that uses a renewable resource as its primary source of energy.
Downtown Energy Centre
The Downtown Energy Centre was completed in 2012 and houses the City's distribution pumps and peaking backup natural gas-fired boilers. These provide hot water to the District during times when Lakeland Mills is shut down for routine maintenance or during very cold weather when there is high demand for heat.
Distribution Piping System
The Distribution Piping System (DPS) from Lakeland Sawmill to the Downtown Energy Centre, City Hall, Prince George Conference & Civic Centre, Coliseum Arena, Two Rivers Art Gallery, and the Four Seasons Pool was completed May 2012 and each building contains Energy Transfer Stations. Since that time several additional facilities have been connected including the Canfor Leisure Pool, Plaza 400 government building, Parkhouse Parkade, Prince George Public Library Bob Harkins branch, Wood Innovation Design Centre, Prince George Law Courts, and the Ramada Hotel.
The City now provides space heating and domestic hot water to these buildings with water heated from the Lakeland Mills energy system. This system burns sawmill residues (woody biomass) with greater efficiency and reduced emissions.