Espace Montmorency, a multi-use complex at the cutting edge of energy efficiency

More and more real estate developers and builders are seeing energy efficiency as the best strategy for reducing the energy costs and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from their projects. This includes Espace Montmorency, recently opened in Laval by MONTONI and the Fonds immobilier de solidarité FTQ. It’s a vast multipurpose complex featuring an ingenious solution: an energy loop.

An energy loop is a water loop that allows heat to be exchanged between different buildings with complementary uses. For example, unused heat from an office tower or businesses can be used to heat residential buildings, and vice versa. Recovering heat that would otherwise have been released into the atmosphere optimizes its use, thus generating savings.

Recycling and reusing to save energy

At Espace Montmorency, the energy loop is connected to a thermal power plant that is the “brain” of the system. The plant manages heat pumps, as well as ultra-high-efficiency electric and natural gas boilers, while cooling towers release excess heat from the loop to meet summer cooling demand. Electricity is used during off-peak periods, and the system switches to natural gas when demand is highest, so as not to overload the power system. In addition to the economic and environmental benefits, an energy loop of this type is highly resilient: if one energy source fails, the other can take over.

Complementarity and efficiency go hand in hand

Energy loops are particularly well suited to multipurpose complexes such as Espace Montmorency, which includes rental units, shops, a 16-storey office tower and a hotel. The variety of uses and schedules means that energy can be exchanged as needed. For example, heat released from the office tower during working hours can be used to heat rental residential units in the evening. Thanks to this solution, the final energy simulations for the complex show significant energy savings and a considerable reduction in GHG emissions.[1]

Decarbonizing real estate: A priority

MONTONI, the project’s developer and builder, is no stranger to energy-efficient buildings. It has made sustainable development a pillar of its business model for some 20 years—and with good reason. According to the United Nations Environment Programme’s latest Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction, buildings account for 37% of energy-related carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. Energy loops (and energy efficiency more generally) are therefore a response to the need to actively decarbonize the building stock, both here in Quebec and elsewhere. Espace Montmorency is the first project in Quebec to have obtained LEED v4 AQ Gold certification for neighbourhood development and is aiming for LEED Platinum and Gold certifications for its building envelope and core, attesting to the sustainable nature of the project.

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Espace Montmorency at a glance:

• Concept transit-oriented development (TOD)
• Total project cost: $450,000,000
• Total surface area: Over 120,000 m² (1.3 million sq. ft.)
• More than 700 rental units
• 16-storey office tower
• Over 30 shops
• 188-room hotel
• Over 1,400 parking spaces
• Direct access to Montmorency metro station

[1] Based on final project simulation reports.