Sustainable Cooling Systems in Toronto: Deep Lake Water Cooling Drives GHG Emissions Reduction
The energy and urban cooling sectors face substantial sustainability challenges, particularly in densely populated cities like Toronto. Traditional air conditioning systems consume vast amounts of energy and water, increasing greenhouse gas emissions and stressing electricity grids. The reliance on fossil-fuel-based energy sources further exacerbates these environmental impacts, making it essential to develop sustainable alternatives. The growing demand for energy-efficient, low-carbon solutions has driven the adoption of renewable technologies, and the Deep Lake Water Cooling (DLWC) system in Toronto represents a transformative response to these challenges.
Enwave Energy Corporation, in collaboration with Toronto Water, operates the DLWC system, which draws cold water from Lake Ontario to provide sustainable cooling for hospitals, commercial buildings, and residential structures across downtown Toronto. In 2024, the DLWC system underwent its fourth intake expansion, increasing its cooling capacity by 60% and reducing the city’s reliance on conventional cooling methods. This system allows buildings to save significant amounts of energy and water while supporting Toronto’s Climate Action Strategy, TransformTO, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 65% by 2030 and reach net-zero emissions by 2040.
One of the key innovations in this initiative is the integration of a thermal energy storage system. This technology stores cooling energy during off-peak hours and releases it during periods of high demand, reducing strain on the electrical grid and lowering operational costs. Additionally, the Green Heat program, powered by the DLWC system, enables low-carbon heating for Toronto’s district energy grid, helping historic buildings like the Fairmont Royal York achieve net-zero certifications.
These technological advancements contribute to broader sustainability efforts by decreasing peak electricity demand, lowering emissions, and cutting water consumption. The DLWC system saves an estimated 220 million gallons of water annually and displaces 55 MW of energy from Ontario’s grid—equivalent to powering eight hospitals. The success of the DLWC system underscores the critical role that renewable energy and innovative technology play in building more sustainable urban environments, offering a scalable model for cities around the world.
Source: Environment Journal
Technologies Used:
- Deep Lake Water Cooling (DLWC): This system uses cold water from Lake Ontario to provide sustainable cooling to buildings, reducing the need for traditional energy-intensive cooling methods.
- Thermal Energy Storage (TES): A temperature-controlled tank stores energy during off-peak times and discharges it during peak demand, helping balance the electricity grid and reduce costs.
- Green Heat Program: A low-carbon heating system that works in tandem with DLWC to provide renewable heat for the district energy grid, lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
Companies Involved:
- Enwave Energy Corporation: The primary operator of the DLWC system, responsible for expanding the system and integrating it into Toronto’s urban infrastructure.
- Toronto Water: Partnered with Enwave to provide access to the city’s water utility system, enabling the DLWC’s expansion.
- Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB): Provided financial support through a $600 million loan to accelerate the expansion of the DLWC system.
- Fairmont Royal York: Achieved net-zero certification through integration with Enwave’s Green Heat program.
SDGs Impacted:
- SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy): The DLWC system offers a renewable cooling solution, reducing dependency on traditional energy sources and making energy consumption more affordable and sustainable.
- SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): By reducing greenhouse gas emissions and water consumption, the initiative contributes to building more resilient and sustainable urban infrastructures in Toronto.
- SDG 13 (Climate Action): The system significantly reduces emissions, supporting Toronto’s climate action strategy to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040.
Geographic Focus: Canada
Industry Focus: Utilities
Sustainability Focus:
- Energy Efficiency: The DLWC system significantly reduces energy consumption, addressing inefficiencies in traditional cooling systems.
- Water Conservation: By minimizing water usage in cooling processes, the initiative reduces resource strain on Toronto’s water supply.
- GHG Emissions: The expansion of the DLWC system directly reduces greenhouse gas emissions, supporting Toronto’s ambitious climate goals.
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