Facilities

Enwave sells more than 2.5 billion pounds of steam each year to 140 commercial, government, hospital, university, and residential buildings in downtown Toronto representing over 40 million square feet of real estate.

Enwave's district heating system consists of a growing network of underground steam and condensate return pipes. Currently that network spans geographical area of approximately 25 square kms in downtown Toronto. The pipes connect three steam production plants to each other and to customers' buildings. Enwave's system relies on 16 boilers with a maximum design capacity of 522 MWth and a maximum current capacity of 381 MWth.

Enwave heats water to generate steam in efficient and low Nox natural-gas-fired boilers at its Walton, Pearl, and Queen's Park steam plants. The thermal energy is then distributed through the company's extensive pipe network at a pressure of 200 psig (1.38 Mpa) and at a temperature of 375°F (191°C).

After it has been used for heating, in the newer, northern part of the system, the steam is returned by customers to the Walton Street Steam Plant in the form of condensate (warm water). Approximately 80% of Enwave's steam output is returned this way. Plans are underway to develop a condensate return network in the southern half of the system in order to further improve efficiency at the Pearl Street Steam Plant. Currently, the company has about 28 km of steam piping and 10 km of condensate return piping &8211; with plans to double this within the next few years.

Enwave's average annual peak load is approximately 337 MWth. Enwave plans to add additional capacity from cogeneration projects planned for the coming years.