white papers

Summary of Report on Integrated Pathways to Decarbonization

SBC is pleased to post the “Pathways to Decarbonization Report”, authored by the Toronto 2030 District, a program developed and supported by SBC.

This report includes two parts:

  1. A deeper evaluation of three technologies identified in prior reports as potential enablers for decarbonization pathways: Solar, Storage (electrical and thermal) and District Energy; and
  2. Discussion of system level policies and programs that are necessary to drive movement along the pathway

The report describes the following roles for these technologies:

  • Solar: Building-mounted solar strategies which benefit building owners from a cost perspective are valuable contributors to, but not preconditions to, decarbonizing the District.
  • Storage: Thermal storage or BESS are more benefit to the grid than the building owner, so will require incentives to become part of the Pathways.
  • District Heating (DH) Systems: Only new, lower-temperature, fossil-fuel-free DH systems decarbonize buildings. Natural-gas-based DH systems are much harder to retrofit than individual buildings, so they should not be developed.

Visit their website here to learn more & read the full report below!

Authored by Toronto 2030 District