SUPPLY
Updated October 2009
We're researching alternate sources of supply for the site's power and water needs. A few of them we've already started and some may not even be possible. It's all just part of our goal to target zero.
WIND TURBINE
Wind energy is something we have been looking at for a few years at The Forks. Currently there is a meteorological tower installed on our site measuring the amount of wind we could potentially capture. If all goes well, we will be able to erect the first urban wind turbine in Manitoba.
Wind energy is clean energy, just like hydro energy. What makes wind energy appealing to The Forks is that it could help us reduce the $500,000 bill we have at The Forks Market alone. We would accomplish this by creating energy from the wind turbine which would go back in to the hydro grid. We would then free up energy to be sold to foreign clients who are, for the most part burning coal to gather their energy.
Update November 2008 - An 18 month study that measured the wind resource at The Forks brought disappointing results. At this time the wind results indicate a full scale wind turbine is not sustainable. Alternate ideas are being researched including wind "turbies", a smaller version of the turbine.
EARTH ENERGY
Under the surface of The Forks is the aquifer. Once we drill in to it we can take the heating and cooling properties of that water, saving both energy and money.
Update November 2008 - The first geothermal project is underway at The Forks. The closed loop vertical system will replace the HVAC system at The Forks Market when it is complete, providing up to 7000 tons of heating and cooling. The system will reduce the site's carbon footprint by apporximately a kilotonne per year.
Update October 2009 - We have nearly completed the process of converting The Forks Market to a geothermal heating and cooling system. This means when it’s hot outside we will be releasing heat out of The Forks Market that will be stored in the geothermal system. In winter we will call on those reserves and take back that heat to warm the building. By January we should be heating The Market using our geothermal system.
SOLAR LOADING
We continue to explore ways which we can use the sun’s heat on our site. Could we install glass panels in an area to heat the room? Or could we heat water? There is really no limit when it comes to the power of the sun.
Update November 2008 - Research continues in areas like water pre-heating.
WATER
Water crosses both the supply and consumption areas of our plan. We are exploring the possibility of installing gigantic rain capture tanks that collect the water running off The Forks Market roof. Called grey water, this water would be entirely appropriate to flush toilets or irrigate the site, saving water and saving us money. Plus, there is a possibility we can take the heat from water used to flush toilets and divert it to heat water in the building.
Update November 2008 - See Consumption - Water.