2022Completion Year
$37,631.00Project Cost
$3,207.27Cost Savings
$28,223.25MCCAC Funding
15,091 kWh/yearElectrical Energy Generation
14tonnes 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 Pincher Creek installed a REALice system at the Multi-Purpose Facility. Built in 1963 the facility has an area of 32,421 ft2 and it includes a pool, gym, and library with a separate Arena. 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.
The project was commissioned in April 2022
APPROACH
This newly installed REALice 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 water heaters and a reduced load on the compressors.
RESULTS
The REALice installation resulted in a reduction of 14 tCO2/year and an energy cost saving of $3,207.27/year. The system enabled the water heater setpoint temperature to be dropped from 160 F to 52.7 F. The project resulted in a 10% GHG reduction from the existing system and a 5% reduction facility-wide from the baseline.
“If it can save the energy it is intended to and reduce some of the operating costs, I think it’s going to be a good addition to our facility. The system will be installed in time for the next ice season in 2022.”
Adam Grove, Recreation Manager
“Essentially the energy savings are on two fronts because you’re not heating your water in the first place, which takes a ton of natural gas and then your heat transfer system in your ice plant, the compressors, don’t need to run as hard.”
“They have been able to run their ice plant a lot less and use cold water, so it is saving energy for them and the ice quality has still been quite good.”
David Desabrais, Municipal Energy Project Lead
