Christchurch district heating: incredibly fast progress since the earthquake!

by Jana Cicmanova on 29 August 2011 / 320 visites

Thanks to Energy-Cities’ appeal for help in May this year, Christchurch received valuable expert assistance from the Danish Association of District Heating. Their advice helped a local engineering firm Beca to carry out a preliminary scoping study.

This study formed a stepping stone for the inclusion of the concept of district heating in the Central City rebuild plan (see page 42 of the document at http://www.centralcityplan.org.nz/r... ). In August, the City Council released the plan for public consultation.

The Christchurch Agency for Energy, with support from the New Zealand Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, is currently organizing a feasibility study for renewable co-generation and district heating system in the city rebuilt after devastating earthquakes.

A formal selection process of companies to carry out various aspects of the feasibility studies has just started - expressions of interest from suitably qualified consultants are welcome (see http://cafe.gen.nz/node/150).

The city moved very fast from having nothing in May to the concept established in the City rebuild plan and a formal consultant selection process starting in August. Christchurch representatives are confident that they will rebuild a better and more energy efficient city also thanks to the good European expertise in district heating and Christchurch’s membership in Energy-Cities.

Energy Cities’ appeal for help published on 13 May 2011.