Energy Efficiency Improvement Project for the Montréal Biodome

Type of initiative FCM Green Municipal Fund - Capital Project
Sector Energy
Project value$7,548,798
Project Type Capital Project
Sub Sector Building – Existing – Energy efficiency
Grant amount$300,000
Program type GMF
Municipality Ville de Montréal, QC
Loan amount$2,000,000
Status Fully Disbursed
Population 1,762,949
Project timeline 2008 - 2010
Project number 10111

Description

The City of Montréal plans to put in place a series of energy efficiency measures in its museum of ecology and environmental science, the Montréal Biodome, to reduce the building’s energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and operational costs. These measures include installing an energy recovery system in the form of an open-loop geothermal system, energy efficient lighting, and adding variable-speed drives for the filtration and ventilation systems. Implementation of these measures is expected to reduce the museum’s energy consumption by 34.9 per cent and its greenhouse gas emissions by 71 per cent thanks to the reduced consumption of natural gas and fuel oil. The measures will also allow the Montréal Biodome to cut its annual operating costs by $717,723. In addition to these direct environmental and economic benefits, the project will help the museum make its hundreds of thousands of annual visitors more aware of technologies and behavioural patterns that contribute to more responsible energy use.
(Project description from original funding application)

Project results

  • 2 tonnes of GHG emissions avoided
  • 1890 GJ of energy savings per year

Environmental outcomes

  • Reduced energy use
  • Renewable energy generation
  • Reduced or avoided GHG emissions

Social outcomes

  • Protection/improvement of public human health
  • Increased staff health and safety
  • Increased opportunities for recreational activities
  • Improved service delivery and/or level or service
  • Improved public education or awareness
  • Community revitalization
  • Increased civic engagement in community issues

Economic outcomes

  • Reduced maintenance costs
  • Increased service life
  • Increased job creation or retention
  • Lower taxes and fees
  • Increased business attraction
  • Local spending/consumption

Lessons learned

  • Stakeholder and community engagement
  • Communication & coordination
  • Data and reporting
  • Resources
  • External factors

Applicant

Ville de Montréal, QC