City of Yellowknife District Geothermal System Feasibility Study

Type of initiative FCM Green Municipal Fund - Plans, Studies, Pilots
Sector Energy
Project value$285,000
Project Type Feasibility Study
Sub Sector Heat Recovery
Grant amount$142,500
Program type GMF
Municipality City of Yellowknife, NT
Status Fully Disbursed
Population 20,340
Project timeline 2008 - 2011
Project number 9556

Description

The City of Yellowknife’s 2005 Community Energy Plan identified an opportunity to explore the potential of an abandoned mine to produce geothermal energy for space heating in a community energy system. This study will determine the feasibility and scope of using the mine, located about 1.5 km from the City’s downtown core. Due to its climate, Yellowknife’s greenhouse gas emissions per person are almost double the Canadian average. Space heating with fuel oil is the largest contributor to these emissions. If the mine is shown to be a viable heating source, it may be possible to design and implement a community energy system to service many residential and commercial buildings. The City estimates that such a community heating system could reduce greenhouse gas emissions from 1,500 homes by up to 97 percent or by 12 percent for the community overall. It would also cut emissions from the transportation of heating oil to Yellowknife and help reduce air pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, and particulate matter.

Applicant

City of Yellowknife, NT