Managing snow with renewable energy and stormwater treatment in Russell

The Township of Russell will study the feasibility of building a centralized snow storage facility equipped with stormwater treatment capabilities. The study will also explore generating renewable energy for melting snow at the facility. There are currently two separate snow storage facilities in Russell, and both release snowmelt directly into the environment untreated. Treating snowmelt before it is discharged into the Castor River is expected to mitigate the adverse effects of suspended solids on aquatic plants and animals. In addition, if the facility used renewable energy to heat the snow, greenhouse gas emissions would be minimal in comparison to conventional heating methods. Renewable energy sources to be considered include solar PV, solar thermal, geothermal, waste heat recovery, natural gas and combinations of the above. Finally, a centralized location for the facility would reduce operating costs for snow removal while reducing greenhouse gas emissions from snow transportation. The Township will conduct a snowmelt study to properly size the stormwater management infrastructure followed by a review of melting and energy-source technologies. It will use a triple-bottom-line analysis to compare options, then develop a conceptual layout and final report to be presented to Township Council and the public. Criteria to be considered will include untreated runoff reduction, greenhouse gas emission reduction, capital costs, operation and maintenance costs, and other beneficial uses of the facility. This initiative is linked to the Township’s Official Plan, which identifies the protection of the natural environment and encouraging energy efficiency and diversity as guiding principles to meet present and future municipal needs. Innovative aspect(s): Using renewable energy to melt snow is not a common practice in Ontario, and this feasibility study would be among the first of its kind. The ideas that will be explored in this study present a unique, low-maintenance solution to handling snow. Replicability: The collection and storage of snow is a need that many communities across Canada have in common. This study will identify different ways of meeting snow-operations best practices with a number of economic and environmental benefits. These solutions could be adopted by other municipalities to improve their snow operations. (Project description based on original funding application)