2021Completion Year
$45,880Project Cost
$6,859Cost Savings
$34,410MCCAC Funding
1.7Simple Payback Period
500GJ/yearNatural Gas Energy Savings
68tonnes CO2e/yearGHG Reductions
Greenhouse gas emissions reductions for this project are calculated based on Alberta’s Carbon Offset Emission Factors Handbook Version 2.0
OVERVIEW
As part of the MCCAC’s Recreation Energy Conservation (REC) program, the Town of Okotoks installed a REALice system at the Pason Centennial Arenas. REALice is an energy-saving de-aerating system for ice rinks. It creates a controlled and structured vortex to remove gases and other particulates such as limescale as water flows through the device. REALice treated water eliminates the need to use heated water when building or resurfacing your ice and reduces compressor loads. The system has no moving parts and is easily integrated into existing piping systems.
This project was completed in August 2021.
APPROACH
This newly installed system will help to reduce the costs of heating the water used to resurface the ice as well as the electricity costs associated with cooling the ice following resurfacing. This system eliminates the need for hot water when building and resurfacing ice by removing micro air bubbles from the incoming water resulting in lower natural gas consumption from hot water heaters and less load on compressors.
RESULTS
This project will save an estimated reduction of 68 tonnes/year of greenhouse gases and has a payback time of 1.6 years. The natural gas consumption, attributed to resurfacing the ice, would be reduced from approximately 601 GJ/year to just 75 GJ/year.
“It was an easy decision. We had heard from other arena managers about the high quality of ice and the cost savings, and were looking for more energy efficiency projects to implement during the COVID-19 shutdown. We are happy with the results and look forward to welcoming everyone back into our facilities.”
Doug Robson, Recreational Facilities Manager
