Delivering high-efficiency campus heating through a sustainable energy centre in Vancouver

Developed for UBC Properties Trust, the University of British Columbia (UBC) Campus Energy Centre delivers efficient, low-impact heating across the Vancouver campus, significantly reducing energy use. CIMA+ provided LEED project management and sustainability consulting, helping the project achieve exceptional performance and environmental targets while supporting UBC’s long-term commitment to sustainable infrastructure.

The UBC Campus Energy Centre project, developed for UBC Properties Trust and located in Vancouver, British Columbia, is a state-of-the-art hot water boiler facility designed to meet the heating demands of the University of British Columbia’s Point Grey campus. The primary objective of the project was to deliver a highly efficient and sustainable energy solution capable of supporting campus-wide heating needs while significantly reducing environmental impact.

CIMA+ played a key role by providing LEED project management and sustainability consulting services. Through this involvement, CIMA+ supported the project in achieving its ambitious energy and sustainability targets, helping deliver a high-performance facility that advances UBC’s commitment to environmental stewardship.

High-performance design incorporating low-carbon energy systems

The facility incorporates innovative design features, including the use of cross-laminated timber panels as the main structural system, creating a warm and sustainable industrial space. It is primarily heated using by-product heat recovered from the energy generation plant, contributing to substantial performance improvements. As a result, the building uses 63% less energy and 31% less water as compared to conventional facilities, and it achieved all 19 available energy points under LEED NC 2009, demonstrating exceptional environmental performance.