Low-Carbon District Energy System (LCDES)
TRU's bold journey to zero carbon
TRU is on the brink of a monumental achievement—progressing toward our ambitious goal of zero carbon! How? Together with our partners, Creative Energy, known for innovative district energy solutions, and BC Hydro, we are building a cutting-edge Low-Carbon District Energy System (LCDES) on our Kamloops campus.
The LCDES is the most ambitious energy project in TRU’s history and replaces our old natural gas boilers with a sustainable electrical heating source, making our campus greener than ever by offsetting over 100,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions over the next 30 years—this is like planting a 4,000-acre forest, a space 16 times larger than our own campus.
TRU will be one of the first universities in North America to hit zero carbon.
With the LCDES, TRU continues to demonstrate our commitment toward building a greener future and as a leader in what true sustainability looks like.
Construction timeline and key impacts
TRU is laying groundwork for its clean-energy system, with pipe installation and retrofits underway.
TRU is proud to lead the way in sustainability with the Low-Carbon District Energy System (LCDES). This major infrastructure project will eventually connect campus buildings to an innovative heat pump system — replacing natural gas boilers and significantly reducing TRU’s carbon footprint.
As part of this work, the following construction activities are underway or scheduled.
Update May 9 – May 17: Lot C utility work and parking impacts
Crews will be conducting underground utility work in Lot C to support pipeline installation for the LCDES. About one-third of the lot (the most westerly row—approx. 35 stalls) will be fenced off for excavation. Originally scheduled to end April 29 (later updated to May 7), the work is now extended until May 17 to accommodate additional construction needs.
A hydrovac truck will be used to expose utility crossings and verify depth. The truck is mobile and can shift to allow nearby vehicles to exit. Excavations will be small (approx. 0.3 metres), backfilled promptly, and will not block access to the remaining 50 premium stalls, which will remain open.
- Overflow parking is available in Visitor Lot Q.
If you receive a parking notice in error, contact Concord Parking at tru@concordparking.com with your name, license plate number and location.
May 9 - 14: Pipeline installation from College Dr. to Administrative Services Building (ASB)
Trenching will extend from College Dr., through the greenspace and across Campus Dr. to connect to the ASB. A single lane closure with steel plates will allow traffic to flow during excavation. Accessible access to ASB will be maintained throughout.
May 9 – June 9: Civil work and detour near Legacy Apartments*
Civil work is underway north of the Legacy Apartments laydown area. A temporary pedestrian path runs along the west side of Legacy but does not have a hard surface. Users with mobility challenges may need to find alternate routes if the grass path isn’t suitable for mobility devices.
* Please be advised that the temporary pedestrian path and the west end of Legacy Pathway (between Old Main and Legacy Square) will be closed with no through access on May 14-15 for sanitary tie-in work involving deep excavation. Follow posted signage for alternate routes.
May 9 – June 25: Ken Lepin Science and Health Sciences Building (S)
Energy piping will enter the Lepin Building through the west basement and run through crawl spaces, mechanical rooms and up to rooftop units. Some interior coring and hoarding in public areas will be required. Affected staff and faculty have been informed.
May 9 – July 29: Old Main (OM) retrofits
Extensive piping installation will connect OM to the new system. Areas of the building will be closed in rotation with hoarding in place. Affected staff and faculty have been informed.
NEW May 14 – 15: Temporary pedestrian access closures
Please be aware of the following temporary pedestrian access closures for sanitary tie-in work:
Legacy Pathway
- Closure: West end of Legacy Pathway (between Old Main and Legacy Square)
- Dates: Wednesday, May 14, at 7 a.m. to Thursday, May 15, at 4:30 p.m.
The west end of Legacy Pathway, between Old Main and Legacy Square, will be closed during the sanitary tie-in work, which includes deep excavation, with no through access to Campus Commons or surrounding buildings. The temporary pedestrian path that runs along the west side of Legacy will also be closed. Please follow the posted signage for alternate routes around the front of Legacy Building.
Tree removal notice
Several trees will be removed in the coming weeks to allow for safe excavation near the Gym and Lepin Building as part of the LCDES project.
Trees to be removed:
- Three red alder
- One southern crab apple
- Two coniferous trees
Why this is needed
Areas must be cleared for the safe installation of the LCDES distribution pipe. The route was selected in consultation with TRU to minimize disruption and the final plan was reviewed to reduce tree impacts across campus. Central Valley Arborist Consulting also assessed 53 trees on-site, recommending the removal of these six trees for safety and infrastructure needs.
Additional tree removal – safety update
On Wednesday, May 6, a tree at the former House 1 location was uprooted by high winds. It was removed to ensure public safety and to protect nearby infrastructure, including the transformer.
Next steps
TRU, in collaboration with its construction partners, will account for all trees removed and ensure two trees are planted for each one as part of the restoration process.
Stay informed
Visit this page regularly for updates, closure notifications and progress reports. For inquiries or feedback, email us at zerocarbon@tru.ca.
Thank you for your patience as we enhance our campus. Please note that work and impact dates are subject to change.
Starting in fall 2024
Get ready for the future!
The building of LCDES will be starting in fall 2024 and includes the construction of the Sustainability Powerhouse, a marvel of modern engineering located in the heart of the Kamloops campus.
Half of this building will be an energy plant and serve as a "living lab," showcasing cutting-edge electrically powered air-source and water-source heat pumps along with backup natural gas boilers. Heat will be generated here and pushed throughout the campus in underground pipes to 13 existing buildings: Arts and Education, Administrative Services Building, Campus Activity Centre, Clock Tower, Culinary Arts Training Centre, Brown Family House of Learning, Indigenous Education Centre, International Building, Ken Lepin Science and Health Sciences Building, North Tower Residence, Old Library Administration and Research Annex (OLARA), Old Main and TRU Gymnasium.
The other half of the Powerhouse will host the new offices of the award-winning TRU Sustainability Office.
See below to learn more about milestones and construction updates.
View MilestonesPowering up with strong partnerships
Our sustainability journey is powered by remarkable partnerships.
Creative Energy and BC Hydro have been instrumental in pushing this clean energy initiative forward. Together, we’re making a real difference.
Cutting-edge heating solutions
The Sustainability Powerhouse will be a marvel of modern engineering.
The Sustainability Powerhouse will feature air-source and water-source heat pumps that provide a renewable energy heating source. Natural gas boilers will be on standby for backup, ensuring resilience and uninterrupted operations. An underground closed-loop distribution system will weave through the campus, connecting buildings to the LCDES and allowing us to retire our old boilers.
Expansion potential: building a greener tomorrow
But we’re not stopping there.
A second phase of the LCDES has been proposed to connect an additional five buildings and further decarbonize campus spaces. In the future, new TRU buildings and nearby City of Kamloops buildings, like the Tournament Capital Centre and the Canada Games Aquatic Centre, along with buildings in The Reach development on campus, could also connect to the system. Additional low-carbon generation capacity and thermal energy storage can be added to the LCDES, providing renewable infrastructure for future growth.
FAQ's
When will major construction begin?
Site preparation for the LCDES Sustainability Powerhouse near Old Main will begin on Mar. 18, followed by excavation and deep civil work starting Mar. 24.
Will parking be impacted?
Yes, throughout the project, some parking areas will be temporarily closed. Detours and alternate parking options will be provided. Any affected permit holders will be informed in advance of any closures and alternative parking options.
Who can I contact with questions?
For inquiries or feedback, email us at carbonneutral@tru.ca.
Be a Hero for Zero
Support a zero-carbon future with a donation and have your name honoured in the Sustainability Powerhouse.
Milestones on our journey
2021
-
Engaged in public consultation on the LCDES.
2023
-
Received approval for the first phase from the BC Utilities Commission.
-
Conducted public consultation on the proposed second phase.
2024
-
Breaking ground on construction in fall 2024.
2030
-
Once the project is complete, emissions (from heating buildings using natural gas) will be reduced by 95% compared to 2020 levels.
Stay tuned for project updates and progress
Stay tuned for construction updates and more information about the LCDES project. This major initiative will significantly reduce our environmental impact and set the stage for a sustainable tomorrow.
Any questions, email zerocarbon@tru.ca.
