On Campus: York University’s Glendon College Adopting ‘Grey Water’ Energy Program

York University’s Glendon College has partnered with Noventa Energy Partners to tap into thermal energy from everyday wastewater sources—think showers, dishwashers, and even hot tubs—to sustainably regulate temperatures on campus as part of an ambitious decarbonization project.

This “grey water” initiative is part of an effort to turn Glendon College into the first carbon-neutral site within York University’s nine-campus network, placing it well ahead of the larger university’s 2040 neutrality target.

The partnership between Glendon and Noventa includes a completed feasibility study and a plan to produce a detailed design report that aims to meet all of the campus’s heating and cooling needs with green energy.

The innovative Wastewater Energy Transfer® (WET®) system proposed by Noventa uses cutting-edge HUBER ThermWin® technology and Noventa’s patented process innovations. This system promises to extract and repurpose thermal energy from wastewater, offering a low- to zero-carbon solution for climate regulations on campus.

“We are excited to be working with York University to finalize the design of this very exciting project which we hope will be an example to other university campuses of what can be achieved when we challenge conventional thinking to combat climate change,” said Dennis Fotinos, CEO of Noventa Energy.

Compared to the campus’ current system or a switch to electrification, the WET® system will significantly cut annual operating costs and eliminate $19 million in deferred maintenance, making it a financially savvy as well as eco-friendly solution.

The Glendon/Noventa partnership will also create the opportunity for a unique ‘living lab’ scenario, offering invaluable research and hands-on learning opportunities for faculty and students alike. This kind of experiential education embodies the spirit of community engagement in facing environmental challenges.

In the wake of COP28, the annual conference of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change held in the UAE last November, as well as a year of record-breaking heat around the globe, the urgency of these kinds of initiatives could not be more acute. York University is proud to be a bellwether among public and private institutions for meeting Environment and Climate Change Canada’s goals for emissions reductions. This agreement is another stride towards achieving York University’s ambitious goal of carbon neutrality, showcasing a community united in its commitment to a sustainable future.