Cape Breton Regional Municipality’s GHG & Energy Reduction Pathway Feasibility Study

Cape Breton Regional Municipality intends to complete a greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction pathway feasibility study to help integrate energy performance and GHG emissions reductions into the long-term planning of the region’s community and public service buildings. The study focuses on pathways for twelve of the community’s buildings, exploring possible fast-track scenarios that could extend building life, reduce energy usage, and cut buildings’ emissions by at least 80% by 2030 and to near net-zero by 2050. Specific measures to be investigated in the study include enhanced building envelope insulation and air tightness; roof top solar panels; fuel switching; converting air-source heat pump systems to ground-source systems; high-efficiency lighting; new and/or improved building automation; and high-efficiency mechanical system replacements. The portfolio of buildings selected for the study include major sport and entertainment venues, libraries, and city hall. Investing in these buildings will increase the municipality’s capacity for sports, community gatherings and event tourism, which will have a tangible and measurable socio-economic impact on the community. Innovative aspect(s): · Assessing retrofit needs and integrating energy performance and GHG emissions reductions into long-term management plans for a portfolio of 12 buildings is innovative for the region · The proposed project aims to implement a new way to retrofit buildings with an innovative approach of adding an artificial intelligence component to HVAC systems · Construction works will be undertaken in such a way to minimally impact functionality in the buildings, without disruption of public services Replicability: The study has built replication of best practices and lessons learned from demonstrated and proven results into the design of community deep-retrofit projects. The region is partnering with Efficiency Nova Scotia and has a plan to document lessons learned and best practices, which will be made available to other communities across the region interested in pursuing similar projects. The project will include the development of a standard implementation mechanisms document/tool kit for deep retrofitting of each type of building, including arenas, community recreation buildings, police stations and public service buildings. (Project description from original funding application)