News Release
HRM To Chill Out with Geothermal Cold Energy Storage Technology
(Tuesday, August 7/07)-- Halifax Regional Council will discuss today an extensive energy efficient retrofit of HRM’s municipal building in downtown Dartmouth. If approved, the project will employ a world-first geothermal energy storage technology, which was developed by engineers in HRM.
The Alderney 5 Energy Project will use natural gas and leading-edge geothermal technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 900 tonnes per year as part of Council’s continuing commitment to meet a 20% greenhouse gas reduction target. HRM’s Energy and Underground Services Committee approved the project this month and is now recommending it to Regional Council for approval.
“This is a rare opportunity to partner in the debut of the world’s first large-scale application of a new energy management technology developed right here in HRM,” said Mayor Peter Kelly. “This exciting venture puts our community in the spotlight on the world stage at a time when all countries are searching for new ways to harness the energy around us and move away from our reliance on fuels that harm the environment.”
Councillor Andrew Younger, Chair of the Energy and Underground Services Committee, is excited about the prospect of using a world-first technology on the Dartmouth waterfront. He says the project, if approved, will demonstrate HRM’s commitment to sustainable economic and environmental energy solutions.
“This new technology will save taxpayers significantly in future operating costs and capital costs, such as the chiller replacement for conventional air conditioning. It effectively uses a natural renewable energy source at our doorstep for air conditioning needs-the ocean and the ground underneath us,” Councillor Younger said. “With the pending phase out of CFC based-air conditioning and the increasing demands for air conditioning in a warming world, this technology is a prime example of smart sustainable energy solutions. We are especially pleased as a committee to be working with the locally-based private partner, High Performance Energy Systems.”
Cold energy will be harvested during the winter months and stored underground in the rock mass via a new design of borehole heat exchanger. A geothermal borehole field consisting of 100 holes, 600 feet deep each, will be drilled onsite in the Alderney Landing parking lot.
If approved, the municipality’s $2.6 million contract commitment will be funded from $250,000 in annual energy savings. The 33% reduction in total energy consumption will be a result of heating, cooling and lighting retrofits. The project will also demonstrate an innovative seasonal geothermal energy storage technology that will enable the properties to use 100% renewable energy for air conditioning needs year round.
Mayor Kelly noted, “I am very eager to see this technology become a template for energy use throughout HRM for future cooling and heating needs in our homes and businesses. The economic and environmental savings are a terrific incentive and we’re very proud to be leaders in this important technology, particularly in this era of climate change.”
High Performance Energy Systems has secured $1 million in federal funding for the new technology and is collaborating with Environment Canada and the International Energy Agency during the demonstration.
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Mayor Peter Kelly
490-4010
Councillor Andrew Younger
Chair, Energy and Underground Services Committee
476-1727
