Background
The University of Waterloo aims to reduce its operational emissions by 35% below 2015 levels by 2030 and it plans to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Natural gas used primarily for space conditioning is the single largest source of campus emissions, accounting for 92% of total emissions (scope 1 and 2). The Shift Neutral Climate Action Plan aims to address some of these emissions by considering ground source heat pumps for buildings not served by the district heating systems:
Initiative 39: Air and ground source heat pumps will, where feasible, be considered for all new construction and for major retrofits to existing buildings or central systems.
Buildings that might be suitable candidates for GSHPs are ARC, EC1-5, REV, UWP, DMS, PHR, IHB, CLV, MHR.
The University of Waterloo is therefore looking for a technical and economic feasibility study of the potential for ground source heat pumps in existing buildings that are not part of the district heating system.
This project also relates to the UN Sustainable Development Goals 7 and 13, for affordable and clean energy and climate action.
Scope of Work Could Include
- Research the geological suitability of different ground source heat pumps (closed loop and open loop) for campus buildings not served by the district heating system, including satellite campuses.
- Research the building characteristics that make for good candidates for ground source heat pumps. These might include thermal efficiency measures such energy use intensity values, thermal energy demand intensity values, design characteristics, and others.
- Conduct a cost analysis of different ground source heat pumps, including estimated upfront costs of placing the infrastructure, upfront costs of equipment, projected maintenance costs, and projected operational costs at current electricity prices.
- Calculate the greenhouse gas emissions impact of switching to a ground source heat pump in the buildings considered.
- Produce a list of major equipment, infrastructure instrumentation and control system requirements.
- Research any best practices from other large institutions that have added ground source heat pumps to existing buildings.
- Detail any incentives available for heat pump installation.
- Outline any further considerations that should impact a decision to install ground source heat pumps.
Resources
Data is available through the Sustainability Office for natural gas consumption in buildings not served by the district heating system. The age and condition of existing equipment can be obtained from Plant Operations through the Sustainability Office. Load profiles and peak demand values are not available at this time.
Stakeholders
- Sustainability Office
- Plant Operations
- Campus Housing
Proposed Deliverables
The details of the deliverables are flexible but must meet the requirements set out by the course instructor. Some proposed deliverables include:
- A work plan early in the term outlining key milestones and responsibilities.
- Updates on progress at least once during the term.
- A final report outlining the outcomes of the feasibility study, including cost estimates from local sources.