Enwave expands Toronto’s deep lake water cooling system

Ontario Construction News staff writer

Enwave Energy Corporation has announced a major expansion of its Deep Lake Water Cooling (DLWC) System, a cornerstone of Toronto’s sustainable energy infrastructure. The expansion, which began in 2021, includes a new three-kilometre pipeline extending into Lake Ontario. This pipeline draws water at four degrees Celsius and transports it through a tunnel 90 metres below the surface to the John Street Energy Centre.

The upgrade increases the system’s cooling capacity by 60%, allowing it to serve an additional 40 buildings. The DLWC System, the largest of its kind in the world, now supports over 100 buildings in downtown Toronto, including hospitals, commercial properties, residential complexes, data centres, and entertainment venues. The expansion is expected to save 832 million litres (220 million gallons) of water annually and reduce peak electrical demand on Ontario’s grid by more than 60 megawatts.

The DLWC System is a key player in Toronto’s energy transition and climate goals. It has been recognized by the United Nations’ United 4 Sustainable Smart Cities (U4SSC) initiative for its role in transforming cooling practices, reducing water consumption, and providing stable energy pricing. Enwave’s Green Heat program, part of this expansion, supplies low-carbon heat to the district energy grid and has helped the Fairmont Royal York achieve net-zero certification from the Canada Green Building Council.

The expansion supports Toronto’s TransformTO Climate Action Strategy, which aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 65% by 2030. The system assists developers in meeting their greenhouse gas reduction targets and complying with the Toronto Green Standard.

“The expansion of our DLWC System is a major milestone for Enwave and Toronto,” said Carlyle Coutinho, CEO of Enwave Energy Corporation. “This project supports Toronto’s climate targets and contributes significantly to reducing emissions and costs.”

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said, “The expansion means more buildings are being cooled sustainably, aiding our climate goals. We value Enwave’s innovative approach and look forward to the continued success of this essential technology.”

In a related development, Enwave has installed an 8.5-million-litre temperature-controlled tank beneath The Well, a large mixed-use development. This thermal battery, powered by the DLWC System, stores energy during off-peak hours and discharges it during peak times, reducing strain on the electricity grid and cutting costs.

Stephen Lecce, Ontario’s Minister of Energy and Electrification, praised the project: “This achievement not only reduces emissions but also supports economic growth with one of the cleanest energy grids in the world. As Ontario’s grid needs to double by 2050, projects like this are crucial for conserving and generating clean, reliable energy.”

Associate Minister of Energy-Intensive Industries Sam Oosterhoff added, “This innovative initiative by Enwave demonstrates how we can reduce emissions while supporting economic development. Congratulations to everyone involved in making this project a reality.”

The expansion has received financial backing from Canada’s Low Carbon Economy Fund and a $600 million loan from the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) to accelerate the project and support Enwave’s broader portfolio growth.