June 21, 2010
The Forks Takes Big Step Toward Target Zero
– – –Innovative Geothermal System Brings Comfort, Cost Savings and Renewable Energy to The Forks Market
The Forks, Winnipeg – The first day of summer will also mark the official turning on of the full $4.8 million geothermal system at The Forks.
“The leadership shown by The Forks Renewal Corporation in building this sustainable and eco-friendly technology into an important heritage property is indicative of the leadership Manitobans have shown in embracing green technology,” said Premier Greg Selinger. “Today The Forks joins thousands of Manitobans who have chosen geothermal heating and cooling systems for their homes, offices and commercial spaces, helping to make our province a leader in the use of this sustainable energy source.”
“This is one of Manitoba’s, and possibly Canada’s, largest and most innovative geothermal systems,” said Jim August, Chief Executive Officer, The Forks North Portage. “As part of our overall Target Zero initiative, the system will provide renewable heating and cooling to the 100 year old Forks Market. It is also expected to reduce the carbon emissions of The Forks Market by up to one kilotonne a year.”
August credits the participation of the province and its other partners for their invaluable knowledge and financial support during this complicated retrofit.
“We could not have accomplished this project without the support and knowledge of the department of Innovation, Energy and Mines and the financial support gained through the province’s tax credit program,” said August.
The province is supporting the project through the Manitoba Geothermal Energy Incentive Program including the Manitoba Green Energy Equipment Tax Credit. Provincial support will be approximately six per cent of the project, totaling approximately $300,000.
The Forks Renewal Corporation is self-funding this capital improvement and has chosen geothermal heat pump technology as a sustainable and affordable means to heat and cool The Forks Market today and into the future. It has invested approximately $4.8 million to replace its natural gas heating system with geothermal.
“We were at the point where we needed to replace our heating and cooling system at The Forks, and we anticipate the savings from the geothermal system will be about $250,000 annually,” said Paul Jordan, Chief Operating Officer, The Forks. “With those dollars factored in, this system will see a pay back in about ten years. That’s using modest energy prices, it could be faster.”
The system will be one of the largest and most innovative geothermal systems in Canada at roughly 150 times the size of a typical home system. It makes innovative use of three different earth exchangers: a well loop, a river system and a closed loop heat exchanger located on the South Point property across the Assiniboine River from The Forks Market.
The unique geothermal system cools several banks of commercial refrigerators that serve the restaurants and Forks Market vendors, in addition to heating and cooling the diverse energy requirements of the various restaurants, offices, retail shops and open public spaces.
Along with heating and cooling, this system will also provide an opportunity to showcase geothermal energy to the four million people that visit the site each year through the interactive educational geothermal center currently being built.
The newly installed system is currently serving parts of The Forks Market. It’s expected the installation will be complete and it will serve the entire Market by this fall.
More information about Target Zero at The Forks can be found at: www.theforks.com/targetzero.
More information about Manitoba Geothermal Energy Incentive Program is available in the geothermal section at www.manitobanenergy.ca.
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The Province of Manitoba is distributing this release on behalf of the Government of Manitoba and The Forks.
backgrounder
Geothermal Information - https://www.gov.mb.ca/asset_library/en/newslinks/2010/6/GeothermalatForksBG.PR.IEM.doc