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A system is being built in Ottawa that will harness the thermal potential of wastewater to provide heating and cooling to Odenak, a 600-unit, two-tower housing initiative at LeBreton Flats.

Canadian technology from SHARC Energy Systems will be used to divert sewage from the city’s collection system into an external well. It will then be filtered to remove solids and pumps will send it through a heat exchanger to transfer the thermal energy for heating or cooling. Afterwards, the sewage is discharged back into the municipal sewer.

The system will provide nine megawatts of heating and cooling to the LeBreton Flats development.

The project – officially known as the advanced Sewage Energy Exchange System (SEES) – is the result of a landmark agreement between the City of Ottawa and LeBreton Community Utility Partnership, a joint venture between Envari Holding Inc., a subsidiary of Hydro Ottawa, and Theia Partners.

The partnership is also engaged in discussions with the National Capital Commission to explore the potential for the network to serve additional land parcels at the LeBreton Flats redevelopment.

Bryce Conrad, president and CEO of Hydro Ottawa, says the project is testament to Ottawa’s dedication to leading the way in sustainable energy solutions. The project advances the city’s overarching goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the community by 96 per cent by 2040.

“Hydro Ottawa is proud to be at the forefront of this innovation, demonstrating the power of collaboration and forward-thinking technology, including the highly efficient and Canadian-made SHARC Energy systems, in building a sustainable future for the community we serve. We are especially pleased that this project supports vital affordable housing and aligns with our commitment to ensuring all customers can participate in a smart and equitable energy future.”

In a first for Ottawa, the SEES will use highly efficient heat pumps and operate entirely without fossil fuel. The approach positions the site as a model for sustainable community energy infrastructure in Canada.

Wael Khalaf, SHARC Energy’s Ontario representative and a representative of HTS Engineering which is involved in the project, says the venture sets a new standard in sustainability.

“We are honoured to contribute to such an innovative solution that not only pushes the boundaries of technology but also fosters a more sustainable future. This project reflects our commitment to advancing environmentally responsible practices and delivering the most advanced HVAC solutions.”

By using SHARC’s system, it is estimated that greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced by approximately 5,066 tonnes annually compared to traditional buildings relying on boilers and chillers. To visualize, that is the equivalent of the electricity used by 3,387 homes for a full year.

The system will generate cooling capacity for approximately 2.4 million square feet of development.

Staff at the City of Ottawa are part of a working group with other municipalities to exchange ideas as they start using the systems. Interest in the technology is growing and SEES projects are already operating in Europe, the U.S., Toronto and Vancouver, and other Canadian ones are planned.

��������ion to connect to the city’s sewer infrastructure is slated to begin later this year, following a collaborative design phase between the City of Ottawa and the LeBreton partnership. SHARC Energy anticipates building and delivering the new system throughout 2026.

Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe says the partnership demonstrates how existing infrastructure can be used in new and innovative ways to reduce emissions and support sustainable growth in communities of the future.

“By turning wastewater into clean, efficient energy, we’re taking a practical step that shows what’s possible when innovation meets sustainability in city building. This is great for the environment and for a clean future in Ottawa.”

Scott Demark, a partner at Theia Partners, a real estate and green energy development company, says the union marks a significant step in realizing a truly sustainable energy model for urban development.

“Our SEES technology, powered by SHARC’s Canadian innovation, will provide reliable, efficient, and environmentally responsible thermal energy to the LeBreton community, starting with Dream’s Odenak development.”

Odenak, the Algonquin word for village, is at 665 Albert St. which is near Ottawa’s future Ādisōke main public library and the Pimisi light rail transit (LRT) station. The towers – 30 and 35 storeys tall – will feature a mix of market-rate and affordable residential units as well as retail space.

The structures are a partnership between Dream Unlimited Corp., Dream Impact Trust, and Multifaith Housing Initiative (MHI). MHI will own and operate 133 of the affordable units, ranging from one to three bedrooms, for Indigenous peoples, veterans, recent immigrants, women and children, and adults with cognitive disabilities.

There will be a gathering circle located prominently between the towers. More than 30 per cent of the units will be accessible and both the amenities and public realm will be barrier-free and accessible.

The towers and part of the Dream LeBreton community, the nation’s largest residential zero-carbon development, employing wastewater energy and solar power-generating systems.