6 Pipes, a Large River Crossing, Congested Streets, and Tight Timelines! How Rathco ENG Overcame Multiple Engineering Design Challenges at the Zibi DES Using Danish and Canadian Design Methodologies

IDEA2026 Track: 5B - Capturing and Delivering Value Through District Energy Session: 5B 1

Presentation Description: Rathco ENG's lead district energy designers combined their Danish training with Canadian experience to solve some of the most challenging district piping systems design they've ever faced. Capturing waste heat from an industrial process to provide over 4 million square feet with zero emissions heating, cooling, and domestic hot water required 3 different loops covering over 6km of piping. This presentation will cover some of the highlights challenges, solutions, and processes.

Case Study: Zibi adheres to all 10 principles of the world-class One Planet Living Framework. Developing the region's first zero-carbon district energy system is a significant contributor to Zibi's strategy and Rathco is their lead district energy engineering firm. Rathco is currently delivering detailed engineering drawings and specifications for the installation of their six pipe, EN253 European pipe system. Rathco's design role on this project has recently expanded to include the HDPE ambient temperature piping system on the Quebec side of the project as well as advanced hydraulic modelling.

Topic: Energy Recovery/Waste Heat/Wastewater Systems

Keywords: System Development, Expansion, and Modernization