Piperville 

Net 

Zero 

Substation

About the Project

Our team played a key role in the construction of Hydro Ottawa’s new Net Zero Substation at 5198 Piperville Road, helping deliver critical infrastructure that will support the region’s energy needs for decades to come.

Contracted by PCL, our team delivered the full suite of piling and civil works, including the installation of nearly 11 kilometres of foundation piles, excavation and backfilling for concrete structures, utility servicing, and road construction.

What We Delivered

The original design called for 260 foundation piles to reach stable bedrock at a depth of approximately 28 metres. Once work began, however, crews discovered that bedrock was nearly 41 metres deep.

The unexpected ground conditions significantly increased the amount of piling required, resulting in nearly 11 kilometres of piling as well as extensive welding and additional resources.

Rather than allowing the changed conditions to disrupt the schedule, our team mobilized additional cranes and crews to keep work moving and deliver the piling without delaying the project.

Innovation

The team also identified an opportunity to improve the foundation design by proposing a switch from epoxy-coated piles to a cathodic protection system.

The change eliminated delays associated with epoxy curing and reduced the need for heated on-site enclosures and additional materials. It also provided another important advantage: the cathodic protection system can be tested over time to confirm its performance, supporting the long-term durability of the piles.

Working closely with project stakeholders, the proposed change was approved and implemented, creating schedule, cost and quality benefits for the project.

Impact

Our team also contributed to the project’s Low Carbon Concrete initiative, which targeted a 20–30% reduction in the Global Warming Potential of materials. Working with Technical Resource Manager Ryan Andre, the team met the project’s sustainability goals while maintaining the strength and constructability needed to keep work moving.

From adapting to unexpected ground conditions to improving the pile protection system and supporting lower-carbon concrete, the Piperville project demonstrates how technical expertise and practical problem-solving can create lasting value.

Once complete, the new substation will provide Hydro Ottawa with critical infrastructure designed to support the region’s energy needs for decades to come.