As a kind of reverse of harvesting the earth’s heat for geothermal power, in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia they will be harvesting cold harbor water to provide cooling for a 5 building complex. Alderney Landing (pictured above) is a 300,000 square foot complex that includes a convention center, art gallery, farmers’ market and theater. The $3 million project is expected to save $250,000 per year in cooling costs (cost are in Canadian dollars).
The first of its kind project will draw cold water from deep in Halifax harbor and store it in deep rock bore holes to provide cooling for the building complex during warmer months. Halifax-based company, Performance Energy Systems will drill 120 bore holes 600 feet deep to store cold water for use in cooling the complex during warmer months. When completed the project will use 100% renewable energy for cooling and cut the cooling costs by 90%. An additional benefit is the removal of 2,200 lb. of chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) by replacing the air conditioning system.
I think the creative use of what is in the local environment can do a lot to reduce or dependency on carbon based fuels. I think this project is a good example.
Source: Cleantech.com
