The Alderney 5 Energy Project is a $3.6 million energy-efficiency retrofit of five municipal buildings on the Dartmouth, Nova Scotia waterfront. Construction was funded through a partnership between the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM), the Provincial government and the Federal government’s Technology Early Action Measures (TEAM) program. It is expected the Alderney 5 Energy Project will save $350,000 per year in energy costs, avoid $800,000 in future replacement costs and significantly reduce maintenance with the new heating and cooling systems.
The Alderney 5 project is the first large-scale application of geothermal seasonal cold-energy storage anywhere in the world. The geothermal borehole system uses a patented heat exchanger design that is 300% more efficient than traditional U-tube designs. The revolutionary cooling system will eliminate the need for supplementary cooling systems using compressors or cooling towers by harvesting cold energy from seawater during winter months to chill an underground rock mass and then using the stored thermal energy to meet air conditioning needs in warmer months by using 100% renewable energy.
The project was initiated in 2005. In collaboration with Environment Canada, the project team conducted preliminary site testing, a detailed feasibility study, and secured federal funding. The project team also collaborated with the International Energy Agency (Annexes 14 & 20). The Alderney 5 project is a culmination of over 10 years of R&D development between local engineers, Environment Canada and the IEA. HRM Council approved the project in August 2007, and it is expected the project will be complete in April 2009.
Top three reasons why HRM undertook this initiative
1. HRM Council's commitment to reduce corporate greenhouse gas emissions 20% by 2012. HRM's building operations are responsible for 50% of corporate greenhouse gas emissions and increasing energy efficiency in building operations is the most cost effective method to meet greenhouse gas goals.
2. The project will save $350,000 in annual utility costs (2008-09). $800,000 will be avoided in replacement costs for air conditioning systems and heating equipment. Existing CFC-11 & HCFC-22 ac systems won’t need replacement to comply with pending and accelerated Montreal Protocol phase out dates.
3. HRM Council's desire to demonstrate a locally developed, environmentally and economically sustainable, energy technology. The Alderney 5 project will demonstrate a world class cold energy storage system which will meet air conditioning needs using 100% renewable energy.
Reasons why the Alderney 5 Energy System is an award-winning sustainable community development initiative
1. The Alderney 5 has a highly innovative, world class cooling technology, demonstrating a new borehole heat exchanger with a 300% more efficient design enabling seasonal geothermal cold energy storage. The harvesting and storage of 100% renewable cold energy without using heat pumps is revolutionary.
2. The Alderney 5 project has acted as a catalyst for future district energy developments on the Dartmouth waterfront. Excess renewable energy capacity will be sold to adjacent private properties. An interpretive centre and tourist attraction is also part of the project.
