New RETScreen model for arenas and supermarkets launched
Varennes, 22.10.2010 - James Smith
A new RETScreen software model for assessing the viability of energy efficient arena (i.e. ice rinks for hockey, skating or curling) and supermarket projects was recently released. This decision-support tool, which can evaluate advanced refrigeration systems and other energy efficiency measures, is now online and can be downloaded for free (details below).
The Buildings Group and RETScreen Division at the CanmetENERGY research center in Varennes collaborated to develop the tool with co-funding from the Buildings Division of Natural Resources Canada’s Office of Energy Efficiency (OEE).
Arenas and supermarkets have very large energy use per unit area with great potential to use waste heat from refrigeration equipment to provide heat and hot water for the buildings. Also, through use of secondary loops, significant amounts of of GHGs can be reduced through use of more environmentally friendly refrigerants (CO2) and through reduced refrigerant leaks. The RETScreen team has been involved in several installations where supermarkets in frigid cold Montreal and Ottawa have no conventional heating system installed, with the refrigeration systems providing all the heat for the buildings. The new RETScreen model has been developed and validated using performance data from a number of these installations, and in testing and validation in collaboration with the IEA
You can download the software for free from the RETScreen Website under the Arenas & Supermarkets section.
REEEP is proud to have supported the ongoing development of RETScreen, which was also recently a Distinction Award Medalist at the Government Technology Exhibition and Conference (GTEC) Awards Gala at the National Art Gallery in Ottawa. For the past 17 years, the Awards have been the pre-eminent public sector recognition program in Canada, for the use of information technology and information management in government service delivery.
RETScreen won in the "National Awards" category for "International Partnerships" due to the outstanding collaborations it has with organisations such as REEEP, and due to the significant impact that RETScreen 4 is having around the globe. More information about the Awards is available here.