How a green energy system could benefit downtown Sydney

Experts in green energy heating are meeting with the Cape Breton Regional Municipality this week to discuss the potential for a district system for downtown Sydney, N.S.

"It would be cheaper than what we are doing now and is particularly beneficial to Sydney where there is no natural gas available," saidDavidBrushett, a manager with Efficiency Nova Scotia.

Efficiency Nova Scotia is partnering with CBRM, along with EnwaveEnergy Corporation, a North American leader in sustainable energy services.

Enwavegenerally operatesin larger municipalities, said Brushett. "So it is very exciting and innovative."

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He said the cheaper heat would be great for revitalizing the downtown and encouraging future development.

Options include geothermal heat from water in the harbour, recovering heat from sewage and using bio-gas from the waste treatment plant to produce heat.

Brushett said an exchange system could recover heat from a sewage main near Centre 200. It could be used to heat water for buildings.

A similar system using underwater pipes could extract heat from the harbour. As well,bio-gas from the waste water treatment plant could be put to use.

Halifax already using geothermal

There are already a number of buildings in Halifax using the harbour as a source of heat, including Purdy's Wharf and Nova Scotia Power's headquarters.

Brushett said a study will be completed by the end of the summer. At that point, Enwave will decide if it wants to build and operate a system.

"So the cost will be completely paid for by the private company," he said.

Downtown building owners could then decide whether to convert their heating systems and buy from Enwave.