IMPLEMENTING ENERGY UPGRADES AT ELEVEN MUNICIPAL FACILITIES IN THE TOWN OF NEW GLASGOW, NOVA SCOTIA
Type of initiative
FCM Green Municipal Fund - CBR
Sector
Energy
Project value$4,711,540
Project Type
GHG Reduction Pathway Retrofit Capital Project
Sub Sector
Building – Existing – with Renewable energy
Grant amount$942,300
Program type
GMF
Municipality
Town of New Glasgow, NS
Loan amount$2,826,920
Status
In Progress
Population
9,471
Project timeline
2023 - 2026
Project number
CBR-23-0036
Description
The Town of New Glasgow will retrofit all 11 municipally owned buildings to reduce energy utilization, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and operating costs. These buildings include three community centres, the town hall building, a joint fire station and library, a police station, a water treatment plant, a municipal operations facility, the Glasgow Square Theatre, The Carmicheal-Stewart House Museum, and the Farmers Market building. This project aligns with the town’s Climate Action Plan to achieve a 50% reduction in community GHG emissions by 2030.
In 2021, the town completed a GHG pathway feasibility study (GMF 17864) to identify the timing and sequence of energy conservation measures and equipment upgrades necessary to achieve their GHG reduction goals. Although the study identified pathways to achieve up to 80% GHG emissions reduction, this capital project will focus on the initial phase, which involves the electrification of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, the installation of solar PV, LED lighting and control upgrades, building automation, insulation changes, and biomass boiler replacement. The town expects that this first phase will result in a 43% reduction in annual energy consumption and a corresponding 47% reduction in annual GHG emissions.
Innovative aspect(s)
Economic benefits
Significant economic benefits are expected from annual cost savings of $441,706 with the efficiency measures, with a projected $2 million contribution to the local economy by hiring local contractors and service providers.
Social benefits
In 2021, the town completed a GHG pathway feasibility study (GMF 17864) to identify the timing and sequence of energy conservation measures and equipment upgrades necessary to achieve their GHG reduction goals. Although the study identified pathways to achieve up to 80% GHG emissions reduction, this capital project will focus on the initial phase, which involves the electrification of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, the installation of solar PV, LED lighting and control upgrades, building automation, insulation changes, and biomass boiler replacement. The town expects that this first phase will result in a 43% reduction in annual energy consumption and a corresponding 47% reduction in annual GHG emissions.
Innovative aspect(s)
- Carbon-Storing Insulation Materials: An innovative technology that improves energy efficiency in buildings while actively capturing and storing carbon dioxide emissions, thus aiding in carbon sequestration efforts.
- Biomass boilers: Biomass boilers are an innovative technology that replaces fossil fuel heating with organic materials, reducing reliance on non-renewable resources and lowering carbon emissions.
- The town intends to disseminate the knowledge acquired from this project to other municipalities by actively seeking partnerships and engaging in networks such as QUEST Canada GCoM (Global Covenant of Mayors) and PCP (Partners for Climate Protection).
- The project’s anticipated energy consumption reduction is approximately 5,480 GJ/year—a 43% annual reduction.
- The project’s anticipated GHG emissions reduction is approximately 835 tCO2e/year—a 47% annual reduction.
Economic benefits
Significant economic benefits are expected from annual cost savings of $441,706 with the efficiency measures, with a projected $2 million contribution to the local economy by hiring local contractors and service providers.
Social benefits
- This project targets critical community buildings, ensuring greater service reliability, increased comfort and safety, and improved air quality. It also aims to transform the Town's recreation centers into Community Resilience Hubs, implementing measures to withstand challenges and emergencies.
- This application is eligible because it aims to achieve or exceed the following objectives: The project(s) will implement one or more phases as part of a sequence of GHG reduction measures that will allow local recreational and cultural facilities to achieve 50% GHG reductions within 10 years and 80% GHG reductions within the next 20 years.
Applicant
Town of New Glasgow, NS