Archived News Releases

News Release - Manitoba

February 24, 2015

Journey to Churchill Exhibit Showcases Completed District Geothermal Heating and Cooling System

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Manitoba-built Energy Technology Helping Companies, Homeowners Lower Carbon Footprint, Save Money

A clean, renewable district geothermal energy system is running well, and will continue to provide heating and cooling to the world-class Journey to Churchill Exhibit at the Assiniboine Park Zoo, Municipal Government Minister Drew Caldwell and Margaret Redmond, CEO, Assiniboine Park Conservancy announced today. 

The system has been installed by the Assiniboine Park Conservancy (APC) to provide100 per cent of the heating and cooling at the Journey to Churchill exhibit.  The APC was able to benefit from a $105,160 grant that was issued under the Manitoba Geothermal Energy Incentive Program, and is in support of TomorrowNow – Manitoba’s Green Plan and the Manitoba Clean Energy Strategy.

“We are proud to partner with the Assiniboine Park Conservancy and their commitment to showcase Manitoba’s rapidly expanding use of clean renewable geothermal energy for heating and cooling,” said Minister Caldwell.  “With the support of partners like APC, Manitoba is now a Canadian leader in geothermal heat pump installations, having already installed roughly three times the Canadian average.”

The APC selected renewable geothermal energy over fossil-fuel options as part of its commitment to address climate change.  The new district geothermal energy system operating at the Journey to Churchill exhibit serves four detached buildings:

  • Gateway to Arctic building,
  • Tundra Grill,
  • water treatment complex, and
  • the International Polar Bear Conservation Centre.

By selecting renewable energy, APC will benefit from long-term sustainable energy costs while utilizing environmentally responsible geothermal heat-pump technology.  The need for environmental stewardship is highlighted by the threatening of polar bears existence in the Arctic regions due to global warming.

“APC is committed to becoming a community leader in sustainable park and zoo operations.  As such, choosing to implement a geothermal energy system was an excellent fit from both an economic and environmental perspective,” said Don Peterkin, COO, Assiniboine Park Conservancy.  “The Journey to Churchill exhibit was designed to increase public awareness of critical climate-change issues and using a renewable energy system is just another way for us to carry that message forward.” 

The Journey to Churchill exhibit and its district geothermal energy system is a world-class renewable energy system designed and installed in Manitoba.  Minister Caldwell noted geothermal systems benefit Manitoba homeowners and businesses financially and environmentally.

“The geothermal incentive program demonstrates another tangible investment by the Manitoba government toward the green economy and world-class community infrastructure that serves Manitobans,” the minister said.  “Our province is once again at the forefront of showcasing the benefits of renewable geothermal energy over fossil-fuel options.” 

For information on geothermal heat pumps and government incentives, visit www.manitobaenergy.ca.  

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BACKGROUND INFORMATION ATTACHED

The Province of Manitoba is distributing this release on behalf of the Assiniboine Park Conservancy and the Government of Manitoba.




backgrounder
Background Information - https://www.gov.mb.ca/asset_library/en/newslinks/2015/02/RLS-APC_Geothermal_Heating_BG-MG.doc