Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) PROJECT

In keeping with City Council’s commitment to sustainable utilities and environmental stewardship, the City of Medicine Hat’s Energy Sustainability department is exploring the possibility of using a local aquifer (an underground layer of earth, gravel, or porous stone that yields water) to heat and cool buildings in Medicine Hat.

SEPTEMBER 2009:
Two Expressions of Interest have been issued by the City's Land & Properties department over the last two years with the goal of attracting interest in the development of an innovative multi-family residential complex utilizing the Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage system. The packages were marketed in both Medicine Hat and Calgary. To date, no bids have been received.

MARCH 2008 Environmental Initiative :
City Council approved the integration of a City owned and operated Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage system in the Southlands 4B subdivision.

An Expression of Interest will be issued by the City for the development of multifamily residential complex incorporating the City-owned Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage system.

The use of the ATES system is projected to reduce the non-renewable energy consumption of the proposed 144 unit multi-family residential complex by 65%; resulting in annual greenhouse gas reductions of 420 tonnes. A preliminary ATES system design was developed for the Southlands 4B site with the support of IF Technology International, a world leader in ATES project implementation. A two-building condominium complex is assumed as the basic configuration, with each building having four levels and 72 units. One centralized ATES energy centre will be used to service both buildings and a buried pipe carrying aquifer water will connect each well to the ATES energy centre. It is proposed the ATES system will be linked with a solar domestic hot water system in order to increase the available stored thermal energy in the aquifer for winter heating. It is anticipated that this project will result in a 60% decrease in fossil fuel consumption in this development when compared to using traditional heating and cooling technology. The annual energy saved by the project could provide enough energy for 50 single family homes.

Preliminary Project timelines are:

Spring/Summer 2008 – Issue Expression of Interest
Fall 2008 – Purchase and Sale Agreement
Winter 2008 – Detailed Engineering
Spring 2009 – Close Sale and Start Construction

SEPTEMBER 2007:
Environmental Impact Assessment is currently underway. Open House to be held October 22, 2007. Additional funding applications have been submitted. A decision whether to proceed with project to be made December/January.

MARCH 2007:
Servicing for an Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) project in the Southlands 4B subdivision will be completed in the Spring of 2007. City Council has endorsed a Land and Properties recommendation to market the Southlands Phase 4B, R3 site via an Expression of Interest based on an approved price.

OCTOBER 2005:
In 2005 an extensive exploratory test drilling and aquifer investigation was completed at two potential development sites in the city. Test results indicated a suitable aquifer was available in the south part of the city in the Southlands 4B development.

An ATES system design was developed for the Southlands 4B site with the support of IF Technology International, a world leader in ATES project implementation. The basic configuration consists of a two-building condominium complex with each building having four levels and 72 units. A centralized ATES energy centre will be used to service both buildings and a buried pipe carrying aquifer water will connect each well to the ATES energy centre. The ATES system will also be linked with a solar domestic hot water system to increase the available stored thermal energy in the aquifer for winter heating. It is anticipated this project will result in a 60 per cent decrease in natural gas consumption in this development when compared to using traditional heating and cooling technology.