Matching Waste Heat or Cooling Load Requirements with Snow from Roads

Type of initiative FCM Green Municipal Fund - Plans, Studies, Pilots
Sector Transportation
Project value$135,000
Project Type Feasibility Study
Sub Sector Roads
Grant amount$20,000
Program type GMF
Municipality City of Edmonton, AB
Status Fully Disbursed
Population 1,010,899
Project timeline 2002 - 2009
Project number 2911

Description

The City of Edmonton will research the use of waste heat to melt snow removed from the streets, and use the snow as asource of cooling. Currently, the City has snow storage facilities with impermeable liners, retention ponds, bermed andlandscaped perimeters and controlled run–off to better manage the piled up snow that eventually melts. The study willinvestigate using heat from incinerators, composters and thermal generating stations to warm the metal containers orother means of snow storage. This could make it possible to locate the snow storage facilities near sources of such heat,which would reduce costs and the effect on the environment. The study will also examine using the snow and ice toreplace the energy normally required to provide cooling. This would reduce energy consumption and associated costs,as well as provide social and environmental benefits.

Applicant

City of Edmonton, AB