Reducing energy consumption at North Battleford’s municipal facilities

The City of North Battleford will conduct a feasibility study to look at energy consumption at five municipal facilities. The study will assess the technical and financial feasibility of various options for saving energy and generating renewable energy. The goal of this project is to reduce municipal energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, decrease operating costs, enhance the working space for municipal employees, and stimulate the local economy with new job opportunities. The city has selected its five municipal facilities with the highest energy consumption to be part of this study. These facilities include the wastewater treatment plant, Battleford’s Co-op Aquatic Centre, Nations West Field House (a sports complex), Northland Power Curling Rink, and the Dekker Centre for the Performing Arts. The initiative is aiming for at least 30% energy reduction from current consumption. However, the environmental benefits will vary across the selected facilities given the differences in building type, size, age and use. The study will be carried out based on an ASHRAE Level 2 energy audit protocol. The scope of work will include collecting historical data, field work, detailed energy audits and analysis for each of the five facilities; evaluating energy retrofit measures; and developing an implementation plan. The study will explore a range of energy-efficiency measures, including operational changes, LED lighting, equipment improvements and building envelope retrofits. The study will also assess the potential for on-site renewable energy generation (such as solar power) and the installation of a district co-generation system using locally sourced biomass. The proposed study aligns with the city’s Official Community Plan, which encourages a more sustainable city and promotes the upgrade of community facilities that enhance the quality of life of its citizens. Innovative aspect(s): • This will be the city’s first feasibility study on energy efficiency and renewable energy • Solar power generation is innovative for North Battleford as this technology is not widely implemented in Saskatchewan Replicability: • This project has a significant replication potential for other municipalities of a similar size across Canada • The energy-saving solutions explored in the study could provide important environmental and economic benefits to many other small municipalities struggling with the high costs of operating energy-intensive facilities • This study’s findings could provide important lessons to other Saskatchewan municipalities where solar power and other renewable energy options have not been widely adopted (Project description from original funding application)