PRESS RELEASE
GRANDE PRAIRIE, ALBERTA (September 22, 2020) – Together with the City of Grande Prairie, Flex Energy Solutions is excited to announce the launch of a new energy savings initiative soon to be installed at the Grande Prairie Eastlink Centre in the Community Knowledge Campus. With funding support from Alberta’s Municipal Climate Change Action Centre Recreation Program (MCCAC Rec Program) an Engineering Study was performed, resulting in a project plan to outfit the Centre with energy efficient Combined Heat and Power (CHP) microturbines. Flex Energy Solutions’ Flex Turbines® were selected for the project after a rigorous qualification process and evaluation.
CHP is the simultaneous production of electricity and heat from natural gas. Flex Turbines recover heat which is normally lost in traditional grid electricity generation and use it for heating, cooling, dehumidification, and other processes. The low emissions, low sound Flex Turbines will provide the Centre with clean, efficient electric power and simultaneously supply hot water for heat.
The MCCAC Rec Program delivers funding, technical assistance, and education to help Alberta municipalities, school authorities and community related organizations advance actions that lower energy costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve climate resilience. Grande Prairie’s Eastlink Centre was an ideal candidate for the MCCAC funding.
In 2014, as part of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Partners for Climate Protection Program (PCPP), Grande Prairie embarked on a mission to reduce the municipality’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 20% over the next 10 years. Because 45% of Canada’s GHG emissions come from burning fuel for facility electricity and heat, the City began to approach its PCPP goals by zeroing in on facilities that consumed the largest amount of energy. “With its expansive amenities, multiple pools, saunas, water slides, sports and fitness areas, and multipurpose rooms, the Eastlink Centre is probably one of, if not the biggest energy consuming facilities in the City’s portfolio,” said Michelle Gairdner, Manager of Energy and Environmental Services for City of Grande Prairie.
“We selected Flex Energy Solutions thanks to their technology’s impressive record of reliability (Flex Turbines consistently deliver over 99% uptime) as well as the fact that they have a dedicated, highly skilled team of technicians located right here in Grande Prairie,” Ms. Gairdner stated. “The Flex Turbines ideally fit the footprint and specifications from both an engineering and technical perspective, which was immensely helpful,” she added.
The results of the Engineering Study showed that the Eastlink Center could offset over 5,000,000 kWh of grid electricity, reducing GHG emissions by over 1,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year. With the installation of the Flex Turbines, the City can expect significant energy savings and an estimated reduction in energy costs of more than $300,000 per year.
“Grande Prairie is really looking forward to the anticipated energy and financial savings this project promises. It keeps us at a positive, productive pace to fulfill our goals under the PCPP,” said Ms. Gairdner.
Two Flex Turbine GT333S units will be delivered to the Centre by December 15, 2020 and installed by January 31, 2021.
About Flex Energy
Derived from FlexEnergy, a manufacturer of small gas turbine generators (microturbines) and custom-fit heat exchangers, Flex Energy Solutions expedites commercial accessibility of and outstanding localized service for the Flex Turbine. We provide on- and off-grid power that is always on, so our customers can save money and focus on their business without interruption. From our field service teams to our engineers and support staff, we work together to provide value to our customers with power solutions that are reliable, clean, and simple. Each feature of the Flex Turbine solution is beneficial in helping our customers perform better. Combined, they deliver total product value.
Industrial, commercial, and remote facilities that have a consistent need for reliable, scalable, and low emissions power benefit from our ability to administer the highest level of service and expertise available quickly and economically.
About the City of Grande Prairie
Grande Prairie is an ever-growing community and major service hub for Northwestern Alberta and Northeastern British Columbia. The municipality has a lot to offer visitors and its citizens, from the multitude of shopping and entertainment to world-class facilities and activities.
Grande Prairie’s vibrant economy has developed with years of steady growth. The City is in an enviable economic position with high wages and disposable income, a local real estate market that remains affordable and plenty of opportunity for growth and diversification.
Strong resource markets in agriculture, forestry and oil and gas are the foundation of the strong economy where many energetic, business-minded people are capitalizing on a business climate like no other. Grande Prairie is a place that embraces entrepreneurship, innovation, and new ideas. Come share yours here.