Efficient Technologies
Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning – Testimonials
- 930 Wellington
At 930 Wellington, geothermal system brings multiple benefits
To capitalize on the growing rental market, the owner of 930 Wellington in Montréal wanted to convert the premises into an office building.
A new decentralized heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system had to be installed. There were three options: a conventional system, a decentralized heat pump system on a water loop or a decentralized heat pump system coupled to an open-loop geothermal system.
For the owner, the geothermal solution was the ideal choice for both economical and practical reasons. Less costly than a cooling tower and boiler, a geothermal system avoids troublesome maintenance of outside facilities while preserving the building's architecture.
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Follow the lead of the owner of 930 Wellington and cash in on Hydro-Québec know-how. We can help you make the right choice!
System description
The geothermal system comprises an open loop on an aquafer that acts as both a boiler and a cooling tower. Groundwater is pumped through a plate heat exchanger. The water loops linked to the heat pumps extract heat from or discharge heat into the aquifer, depending on the season. The supply well and return well are 18 m (60 ft.) apart at a depth of 30 m (100 ft.).
The 47 heat pumps, ranging in capacity from 3.5 to 35 kW (12,000 to 120,000 Btu/h) handle both the heating load (440 kW or 1,500,000 Btu/h) and the cooling load (350 kW or 100 t) for the entire building.
- Val-des-Monts Arena
Val-des-Monts: Hooked on Geothermal Technology
The Val-des-Monts recreation association was looking for an economical way to heat the community's new arena and cool the ice. The geothermal system recommended by the municipality's three partners-Hydro-Québec, the CANMET Energy Technology Centre - Varennes (CETC - Varennes) and the Agence de l'efficacité énergétique du Québec-proved to be a winning solution.
Geothermal technology is ideally suited to simultaneous heating and cooling applications and the variability of our climate. The concept developed by project experts called for the optimal integration of heating, refrigeration and ice resurfacing techniques, despite load fluctuations resulting from use of the arena, lighting, ambient temperature, and other factors. Heating and cooling generally account for a third of an arena's operating costs.
To date, the system has proven extremely efficient and cost-effective. Thanks to the ground loop and the energy efficiency measures that were implemented, Val-des-Monts will save about 60% on energy costs compared with a traditional arena. Furthermore, it expects to reduce the arena's maintenance costs by 25 to 30% and its greenhouse gas emissions by 80%. An impressive scorecard on all counts!
Don't delay!
Follow Val-des-Monts' lead and cash in on Hydro-Québec know-how. We can help you make the right choice!
System description
The geothermal system is composed of several compact heat pumps ranging from 6 to 15 hp, as well as heating and cooling units connected to the arena's heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC/R) systems. It simultaneously cools the ice and refreshes the air while providing a constant source of heat to meet space heating, tap water and ice resurfacing needs.
When heating and cooling requirements are not in line with each other, surplus heat or cold is stored in thermal buffers. Heat extracted from the ice sheet, as well as residual heat from exhaust air, is recovered and directed to other parts of the arena, such as the dressing rooms and public seating areas. In addition, an innovative cold storage unit installed under the main slab makes it possible to operate the refrigeration system only during off-peak hours, resulting in a 50% reduction in power demand. Even the snow pit is used for cooling purposes!
Ancillary heat pumps connected to the geothermal system dehumidify the air in the main part of the arena, which helps protect the building envelope and reduce the cooling load. Finally, a computerized operations, lighting and energy management system is used to optimize performance. Energy efficiency measures are fully incorporated into the technological concept.
