Feasibility Study for a Solar District Heating System
Type of initiative
FCM Green Municipal Fund - Plans, Studies, Pilots
Sector
Energy
Project value$300,000
Project Type
Feasibility Study
Sub Sector
District Energy – Renewable source
Grant amount$150,000
Program type
GMF
Municipality
Town of Vulcan, AB
Status
Fully Disbursed
Population
1,769
Project timeline
2005 - 2009
Project number
3916
Description
An innovative project for a small town, the study will look at the feasibility of establishing a $10 million tri-modecombined heat and power (CHP) system. The system would combine a 30,000 square meter thermal solar collectorsystem, an agricultural biomass hot water boiler and a gas micro-turbine to provide electric and thermal energy. Aseasonal underground water and sand storage facility would be incorporated into the design to store solar energycaptured in summer for use later in the fall and winter when demand is highest. The Town is a size that the solar energycomponent could contribute 30 to 40 per cent of the total energy used for heating. The biomass would come fromagricultural sources near the Town. A potential project emerging from this study could reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) by5,000 to 8,000 tonnes per year.
Applicant
Town of Vulcan, AB