In 2000 Tri-Ocean Engineering Ltd. completed a detailed desktop study of residual heat recovery and distribution opportunities in the territories on behalf of the Northwest Territories Power Corporation. This study confirms the economic viability of a residual heat distribution system in Iqaluit.

One of the next steps is to complete the final engineering. Indian and Northern Affairs Canada is supporting this project with $294,000 in funding for Qulliq Energy Corporation to complete the final engineering work on two alternative energy projects in Nunavut. The projects, both similar in outcomes, are referred to as District Waste Heat Systems. One will occur in Rankin Inlet and the other in Iqaluit. The projects will involve distributing residual heat from diesel electricity generation to commercial buildings in the area.

Currently, Iqaluit consumes one-third of total electrical energy in Nunavut and electricity generation in Iqaluit consumes 13 million litres of diesel fuel annually. Diesel generators can only convert about one-third of that fuel energy into electricity. The remaining energy is released into the environment in various forms, and lost. Some of that heat can be recovered and used for space and water heating at nearby buildings. Installing a residual fuel system in Iqaluit offers the potential to displace 3,000,000 litres of heating fuel and the potential to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions by 8,000 tonnes per year.

The buildings that will benefit from the waste heat recovery project are commercial and public buildings including the water treatment plant, the Nunavut Arctic College, the new hospital and the high school, plus others.

The estimated cost of installing the residual heat recovery system in Iqaluit is $5.5 million dollars.

Ten per cent of total electrical energy demand in Nunavut is consumed in Rankin Inlet and the hamlet consumes three million litres of diesel fuel annually. Like Iqaluit, diesel generators can only convert about one-third of that fuel energy into electricity. Installing a residual fuel system in Rankin Inlet offers the potential to displace 760,000 litres of heating fuel and the potential to reduce GHG emissions by 2,000 tonnes per year.

The fact that the power plant is located adjacent to several public and commercial buildings provides an excellent opportunity for district heating. The nearby buildings that will benefit include the new health centre, water treatment plant and the high school.

The estimated cost of installing the residual heat recovery system in Rankin Inlet is $3.2 million dollars.

Back to Press Release

Back to Press Release Index