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