Transforming wastewater heat into sustainable energy for Vancouver’s False Creek neighbourhood

Commissioned by the City of Vancouver, the Southeast False Creek Neighbourhood Energy Utility transforms wastewater heat into low-carbon energy for False Creek, reducing emissions and reliance on conventional systems. Recollective (now part of CIMA+) provided sustainability consulting and energy modelling to optimize performance, enabling an innovative, efficient solution that delivers long-term environmental and community benefits.

The Southeast False Creek Neighbourhood Energy Utility project, commissioned by the City of Vancouver and located under the south end of Cabie Street Bridge, is an innovative district energy system designed to provide sustainable heating solutions to the False Creek neighbourhood, which includes the Olympic village. The primary objective of the project is to recover thermal energy from a sewage pump station and reuse it to supply domestic hot water and space heating, significantly reducing reliance on conventional energy sources and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

Pioneering sustainable innovation for a greener future

As one of the first applications of this technology in North America, the facility also serves as a demonstration and educational tool, showcasing advanced heat recovery systems to the public through its transparent architectural design. The building incorporates sustainable design principles and has achieved LEED Canada NC (new construction) Gold certification, reinforcing its environmental leadership.

CIMA+ contributed to the project by providing sustainability consulting and energy modelling services. The firm’s role was essential in optimizing system performance and energy efficiency and in supporting the integration of innovative technologies. Through this involvement, CIMA+ helped deliver a forward-thinking infrastructure project that aligns with the City of Vancouver’s sustainability goals and sets a precedent for future green energy developments in Canada and beyond.