SHARC International Systems Inc. (CSE: SHRC) (FSE: IWIA) (OTCQB: INTWF) ("SHARC Energy" or the "Company"), a world leader in wastewater energy transfer ("WET"), is pleased to announce that it has entered into a Supply and Maintenance Agreement with the City of Vancouver, for the provision and maintenance of five SHARC Systems for the False Creek Neighbourhood Energy Utility ("False Creek NEU") Expansion. The expansion is expected to increase the capacity of the current 3.2MW of wastewater energy transfer ("WET") system to 9.8MW-making it the largest WET project in North America, with an additional carbon emission reduction of an estimated 4,400 tonnes a year, upon completion in 2023.
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Under the Agreement, SHARC Energy will supply and commission five SHARC systems to perform sewage screening for the False Creek NEU and, subsequently, maintain these systems for five years with a City option for an additional five years. These systems will be paired with the current 3.2MW sewage-to-water heat pump in operation plus two new 3.3MW heat pumps.
The False Creek NEU began operation in 2010 and has rapidly expanded to serve over 600,000 square metres of residential, commercial and institutional space including Science World and Emily Carr University.
In accordance with the 2018 NEU expansion plan, the False Creek NEU will continue to expand to serve over 1,900,000 square metres of new development in Southeast False Creek, Mount Pleasant, the False Creek Flats and Northeast False Creek.
The NEU targets 70% of its energy supply to come from renewable energy sources with a goal of 100% renewable energy by 2030 as a part of the Climate Emergency Action Plan. The utility is self-funded, simultaneously providing affordable rates to customers and a return on investment to City taxpayers.
"We are pleased the City of Vancouver has chosen SHARC Energy and its proprietary and worldwide patent-pending SHARC System to help the False Creek NEU and the City reach its renewable energy goals," says Lynn Mueller, SHARC Energy's Chairman & CEO.
SHARC Energy began working with the City in 2017 when it retrofitted two SHARC systems for sewage screening into the False Creek NEU as a pilot. Upon successful demonstration, the Company entered a lease on these units with the City of Vancouver which is now being replaced with the expansion of the system-demonstrating the important role that wastewater energy transfer plays in renewable energy and reducing carbon emissions.
"This project is a crucial step forward to ensure the NEU can continue to provide reliable, cost effective, low carbon energy to the growing network of connected buildings. We are excited to be able to leverage the local innovation and expertise offered by SHARC for screening in-coming sewage, a crucial step in the sewage heat recovery process," says City of Vancouver NEU Manager Derek Pope.
"We have seen firsthand through a successful pilot demonstration the high performance of the SHARC system and look forward to continued collaboration through this agreement as we work to transition away from fossil fuels to a more sustainable future."