Pictou County Wellness Centre – GHG Reduction Pathway Feasibility Study

Pictou County Wellness Centre Building Authority Inc. will complete a comprehensive greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction pathway feasibility study for its10-year-old recreational complex which has high energy and maintenance costs. The study will identify energy and GHG reduction targets of 50% by 2030 and near net Zero by 2040 for the Pictou County Wellness Centre. In addition to a comprehensive energy audit, the study will assess the following: energy recovery and reduction options, including swimming pool heating that uses waste-heat capture from the building’s arenas; on-site energy generation and storage for peak energy shaving; and dynamic ventilation, temperature and equipment control based on facility usage. Energy reduction targets will be developed in line with equipment replacement timelines to further increase energy savings. Investing in this facility will increase Pictou County’s capacity for recreation, community gatherings and efficient public service delivery. This will have a tangible and measurable socio-economic impact on the community. Innovative aspect(s): · The study will explore innovative energy recovery and reduction options such as heating the swimming pool using waste heat captured from the facility’s arenas, and on-site energy generation and electrical storage · The energy audit for this project will follow the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Level 3 audit, which is considered one of the most rigorous audits · Developing energy reduction targets in line with equipment replacement timelines will increase energy savings Replicability: The building authority is dedicated to sharing project information and lessons learned with other neighboring municipalities and partners. Presentations and site tours (in-person and virtual) will be given to the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities. Guidance and start-up instruction documents will also be shared with other interested municipalities across the region. The building authority plans to use software and digital marketing tools to share project results. (Project description from original funding application)