Corix and Flagborough partner to develop a low-carbon district energy system at Vineyard development

An artist’s concept depicts Utah City, a planned mixed-use development in Vineyard. Developer Flagborough has partnered with Canadian firm Corix District Energy to build a shared heating, cooling and hot water system for the entire complex. Photo: Woodbury Corp.

Utah development company Flagborough has partnered with a Canadian thermal energy company to develop and operate a low-carbon district energy system to provide heating, cooling and hot water for all of Utah City, a new mixed-use development in Vineyard.

Flagborough, a joint venture between Flagship Homes of Lehi and Salt Lake City-based developer Woodbury Corp., will partner with Corix District Energy Holdings LP of Vancouver, British Columbia, to develop a system to provide the mechanical needs of the entire Utah City project. Corix is owned by British Columbia Investment Management Corp. of Victoria, British Columbia.

Located on the eastern shore of Utah Lake in Utah County, Utah City will consist of 350 acres of residential, retail, commercial and medical research development. It will be the site of a new 20-acre Huntsman Cancer Institute campus.

“Every element of Utah City is being thoughtfully planned to function as part of a fully integrated community,” said Pete Evans, co-managing partner of Flagship. “Building a city from the ground up gives us the rare opportunity to be intentional at every stage, from the infrastructure to how people will live, work and recreate here. Utah is one of the most beautiful places in the world, and we feel a strong sense of stewardship to help keep it that way.

“Our district energy system reflects that approach,” Evans continued. “We want to build the best community in the western U.S. Having an affordable, enduring energy system is a key component. Utah needs more energy. By building a district energy system that, over time, can be powered mostly from recycled waste heat, we can deliver both a cost-efficient system for our residents and a system that can help keep Utah beautiful. Utah City is a long-term commitment to building a place that reflects the best of Utah — its landscape, its values and its future.”

Lisa Sparrow, Corix president and CEO, echoed the alignment between Utah City’s stewardship goals and Corix’s expertise.

“Corix and Flagborough share a vision for a vibrant future not just for today, but for generations to come,” she said. “The amount of forethought into every aspect of the development is incredible; it’s proof that sustainable energy, architectural ingenuity and people-centric design don’t have to be mutually exclusive.”

Corix’s approach to servicing Utah City will include the construction of a connected district heating and cooling system where equipment and energy sources are shared between buildings through a centralized energy plant. Energy for the local district can come from an array of sources, including conventional gas and electricity, waste energy capture and reuse and other sources.

The system will be built to grow and adapt and can be phased as new buildings are added and demand increases, while also enabling the use of waste heat from nearby facilities. The result is a cost-effective, highly reliable and efficient network with significantly cleaner air, according to Sparrow.

The district energy system will connect over 19 million square feet of mixed-use space at buildout with Phase 1, expected to be operational in early 2026.

Founded in 1938, Corix builds energy system infrastructure for communities across North America, partnering with developers, municipalities, universities, hospitals and other stakeholders to develop cost-effective thermal energy.