District Energy System Feasibility
Type of initiative
FCM Green Municipal Fund - Plans, Studies, Pilots
Sector
Energy
Project value$230,000
Project Type
Feasibility Study
Sub Sector
District Energy – Waste energy recovery
Grant amount$110,000
Program type
GMF
Municipality
City of Saskatoon, SK
Status
Fully Disbursed
Population
266,141
Project timeline
2009 - 2011
Project number
10251
Description
To help the City of Saskatoon, a Partners for Climate Protection member, to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the city will study the technical, environmental, economic, and social feasibility of a downtown district heating and cooling system. The proposed district system would take advantage of waste heat primarily from the Queen Elizabeth Power Plant, and also potentially from other sustainable sources. Sustainable cooling from the nearby South Saskatchewan River would use cooling loops on a scale that is currently rare. The proposed system will be contrasted with two alternative energy demand scenarios: a business-as-usual approach consisting of modestly improved individual mechanical rooms; and a conservation approach involving significant investment in building-specific efficiency improvements.
If the proposed system were adopted by all of the buildings in the downtown, the project has the potential to substantially reduce natural gas and electricity consumption; the latter benefit being particularly significant in Saskatchewan, where most electricity is produced by coal-fired plants. This could result in a greenhouse gas emissions reduction of 125,000 tonnes per year; a 55 percent reduction for the area. The best option will be selected depending on an overall assessment of return on investment; competitiveness and stability of capital and operating costs; anticipated GHG reductions; infrastructure, maintenance, and operation requirements; and owner/operator model.
If the project proves feasible, it could be a model for other communities with thermal power plants, or adjacent bodies of water, or both. The sharable knowledge gained will include a process for managing a myriad of stakeholders and legal and building code concerns.
(Project description from original funding application)
Applicant
City of Saskatoon, SK