City of Grande Prairie Eastlink Centre – CHP Project

OVERVIEW

As part of the Action Centre’s Recreation Energy Conservation Program, the City of Grand Prairie completed an installation of two 333 kW natural gas combined heat and power (CHP) units.

The project was commissioned in April 2021.

WHAT IS CHP?

Also known as cogeneration, CHP systems merge the production of usable heat and electricity into a single process that can substantially reduce carbon emissions and energy costs. The combined heat and power units use gas turbines to generate electricity for onsite use while recovering waste heat from the generation process for pool heating, space heating, and domestic hot water.

APPROACH

As a community recreation facility, the Eastlink Centre includes an aquatic centre, fieldhouse, squash and racquetball courts, running track, weight and cardio rooms. To more efficiently meet the energy requirements for the 450,000 ft² facility, the City installed two 333 kW CHP units. Electricity generated by these units will displace grid electricity and heat reclaimed from the generation process will displace gas consumption, resulting in utility savings while also reducing GHG emissions.

RESULTS

Installation of these two units will result in a reduction of 849 tCO₂/year, which is a 12% GHG reduction facility-wide from the baseline. The project is also expected to save $335,900.24/year in energy costs, which is equivalent to a 27% savings.

In 2014, as part of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Partners for Climate Protection Program (PCP), Grande Prairie embarked on a mission to reduce the municipality’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 20% over the next 10 years. Because 45% of Canada’s GHG emissions come from burning fuel for facility electricity and heat, the City began to approach its PCP goals by zeroing in on facilities that consumed the largest amount of energy. With its expansive amenities, the Eastlink Centre is one of the biggest energy-consuming facilities in the City’s portfolio.

“The Combined Heat and Power Unit is a great way for the City of Grande Prairie to increase energy efficiency, generate electricity for a multi-purpose recreational center, and heat a pool used by thousands of community members. We are excited to see the long-term impact of the unit in reducing greenhouse gases and cost to operate the City’s largest aquatic facility.”

Horacio Galanti, P.Eng., Grande Prairie City Manager