The Town is committed to the implementation of alternative energy technologies and energy, water and waste conservation measures in the retrofit, construction, and operation of all Town buildings.

 

Active Solar Thermal Heating ....How it Works    Okotoks' Municipal facility installations incorporate active solar thermal heating - the use of mechanical equipment to capture the sun's energy. A solar collector panel absorbs the sun's energy and converts it to heat energy. Inside a solar collector are rows of tubes filled with an antifreeze fluid (glycol) that absorbs heat energy. Solar collectors are black to increase their ability to attract the sun's energy. As the fluid passes through the solar collector it absorbs heat energy and becomes warmer. The warmed antifreeze fluid is pumped through a loop of pipes to a heat exchanger. In the heat exchanger the heat leaves the antifreeze fluid and heats water. The cooled antifreeze fluid returns to the solar collectors to continue the cycle. Active solar heating systems can be used to heat water for swimming pools, car washes, cafeterias, and domestic hot water (for sinks and showers), and for space heating in buildings.

The former Scotiabank Building on Elizabeth Street was converted into a new and expanded location for the municipal office in 2008. The building meets the requirements of the Federal Government's Commercial Building Incentive Program, consuming 45% less energy and 50% less water than typical commercial buildings.

 

The design features solar hot water heating, a water efficient irrigation system, eco-scaping principals (indigenous mulched vegetation), waterless urinals, low-flush toilets, low-flow faucets, light sensors, and low energy consuming lighting and electronics.

 

The Solar Wall System is an air-to-air heat recovery system that serves the existing and new pool ventilation systems. The solar wall assists in preheating the outside air used to pressurize the spaces adjacent to the pool area.

 

Most pools are 100% heated with natural gas-fired boilers, however in Okotoks, the pool is partially heated with an active solar thermal heating system. Sixty-six solar collectors mounted on the roof of the Recreation Centre help ensure Swindells Pool is constantly heated to a comfortable temperature of 29 degrees celsius.

 

The pool was converted from a conventional chlorine system to a salt water pool and is cleaned with UV light technology.  This conversion has not only been environmentally beneficial due to a substantial decrease in chemical use associated with pool cleaning, but also has proven to be economically beneficial.

 

Resurfacing ice requires a lot of hot water. In most arenas a natural gas-fired boiler provides heat energy for ice resurfacing. An active solar thermal heating system was installed at the Murray and Piper Arenas in the Okotoks Recreation Centre in 2001. Solar collectors installed on the roof of the arena provide much of the heat needed for ice resurfacing. A natural gas boiler is used when the solar heating system does not provide enough heat for ice resurfacing (at night and during periods of heavy use).

Due to the nature of the building use, with large overhead entry doors opened and closed frequently, a conventional natural gas-fired furnaces utilizing forced air was inefficient in heating this space.  An eight panel active solar thermal heating system utilizing radiant floor heating was installed as an efficient and green alternative to a traditional heating system.

In the winter this solar system provides most of the space heating for the building however when required during very cold conditions, two high-efficiency natural gas-fired heaters are used to provide back up heating. 

 

At the main public recycling sorting building at the Recycling Centre, four Photovoltaic (PV) solar panels were installed to produce the electricity required to run the building's lighting. This 3Kw System on a sunny day can average 14Kwh of electricity a day!

To view live data of how much electricity is being generated from the Recycling Centre's solar PV panels, access the site below for live data monitoring;

www.goosecreek.ca live data monitoring at http://view2.fatspaniel.net/PV2Web/merge?view=PV/standard/Simple&eid=168607

Town Operations Centre
Solar Wall Heating System

The Town Operations Centre solar wall heating system uses energy from the sun to heat fresh air before it is brought into the building. A solar wall uses dark-coloured metal paneling on a south facing outside wall. The metal panel is installed with an air cavity between the building and the panel. When the sun shines on the wall, the air is warmed and a ventilation fan draws it through the air cavity into the heating system. In the summer, the system is also used to cool the building.