Innovative Initiative!

The Alderney 5 Energy project's use of geothermal cold energy storage technology is highly innovative. The Alderney 5 will be the first demonstration anywhere in the world of this technology. The ability to harvest free renewable cold energy in the winter, store the cold underground for 7 months and extract it without the use of heat pumps, or refrigerant based air conditioning is a revolutionary geothermal energy application.

Could this initiative be replicated, in whole or in part, by other municipal governments across Canada?

The project is highly replicable. Cities with high air conditioning needs, expensive electricity and cold winters are ideally suited. Cold energy could be harvested in the winter from lakes, rivers, or even cooling towers and stored underground for summer air conditioning. The borehole design could also be coupled with more traditional geothermal heat pump designs increasing the effectiveness of geothermal heating applications too.

It is important to recognize projects such as these involve risk – sometimes significant risk. The municipality should possess seasoned technical and financial staff in house to be able to balance risks associated with such advanced technologies. A well rounded team of highly qualified HRM staff were involved in the Alderney 5 project (technical/financial/legal). If staffs are not familiar with newer applications, it is important to support acquiring detailed, project specific knowledge through travel - to learn the state of the art. Partnering and networking with Federal departments who have deeper technical resources is also a good idea. Municipalities will be exposed to greater contractual and operating risks without good in house capabilities.  

Are there any unique community characteristics or municipal features that you feel were instrumental in making this initiative a success?

Alderney 5's proximity to Halifax harbour was instrumental to this project as the sea water is the source for the cold energy. Though other sources, such as lakes, rivers, or cooling towers could have been used for a project like this, the harbour was a natural choice as it is capable of going down to very low temperatures which makes it a great source for cold energy.