A first-of-its-kind geothermal community in Markham: The Berczy Glen Geoexchange Community Energy System

Supported by an $8.77 million investment from GMF and the Government of Canada, the City of Markham is researching, designing and building a pilot neighbourhood of 311 homes that will all be linked to a geoexchange-based community energy system (CES). The two partners in this groundbreaking project, Enwave Energy Corporation and Mattamy Homes, worked pro-actively to convene the public and private sectors to help bring the residential housing sector closer to net-zero emissions.  

The community-scale distributed geothermal energy system in Markham will deliver carbon-free energy for heating, cooling and domestic hot water. The first system of its kind in Canada, it harnesses the natural heat from below the surface of the earth to warm the houses in the winter and cool them in the summer, using a single ambient pipe with geoexchange boreholes buried beneath the road and connected to each home, similar to an electrical grid. The innovative design is more energy efficient and generates fewer GHG emissions than a traditional geothermal system and delivers more reliable space heating, cooling and hot water, while minimizing land requirements by using the existing public right-of-way  

Geoexchange energy systems are a promising alternative to natural gas or other fossil fuels for heating and cooling. That makes them an important local climate solution, since half of all carbon emissions in Markham come from the gas and electricity used in buildings. Homes connected to a community energy system can be much more affordable to heat and cool than stand-alone systems, and potential homeowners in this neighbourhood can expect up to 60 percent energy savings compared to less efficient homes with natural gas furnaces.   

For the fast-growing City of Markham, this community energy system is a major step toward the ambitious goal of becoming a net-zero water, waste and emissions community by 2050. The best practices and lessons learned from this project showcase the scalability and economic feasibility of geothermal technology for residential developments. These insights confirm geothermal systems as a realistic and beneficial option for new housing projects nationwide, highlighting the success of public-private partnerships and significant energy savings.