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CMU launches first-of-its-kind district geothermal energy system
On Saturday, September 20 at 2:00 PM, Canadian Mennonite University will launch the new academic year with a celebration of the first district geothermal energy system at a Manitoba post-secondary education institution.
"As we welcome our students and community back to campus, I am proud to showcase this important milestone in our efforts to build a more sustainable future," said Dr. Cheryl Pauls, CMU President. "Poettcker Hall is just the first of many buildings we will connect to the district geothermal system on our journey to a net zero campus."
"I want to thank our donors, funders, staff, and the construction and design team who worked so well together to make this green dream a reality," added Pauls.
Ground source heat pumps, commonly referred to as "geothermal energy," avoid using fossil fuels by capturing the constant temperature of the ground to provide year-round heating, cooling, and hot water to buildings at a fraction of the usual cost and without carbon emissions. District geothermal systems are even more efficient because they can move energy to and from multiple buildings with different energy needs.
Ed Lohrenz, President of local firm GEOptimize, led the design of the geothermal system at CMU.
"Our firm has been designing geothermal systems for buildings large and small here and in other jurisdictions for many years," said Lohrenz. "Geothermal eliminates climate pollution and will save CMU significant dollars and reduce its carbon footprint for decades to come. It is exciting to see this approach gaining momentum here in Manitoba."
The Government of Manitoba enthusiastically supported the development of this geothermal energy system with $351,000 in funding made available through the Merit-based Low Carbon Economy Fund, a collaborative funding initiative between the Government of Canada and the Manitoba government.
Media are invited to attend the Poettcker Hall ribbon cutting ceremony starting at 2:00 PM on Saturday, September 20 at 2316 Grant Avenue on the south side of the CMU campus (see #14 on campus map, parking in lots O and N).
Speakers will include:
- MLA Carla Compton, MLA for Tuxedo
- Ed Lohrenz, GEOptimize President
- Charlie Peronto, CMU Vice-President Student Life and Campus Operations
- Mackenzie Nicole, CMU alum and former Residence Director
- Randy Neufeld, CMU Director of Operations
- Dr. Cheryl Pauls, CMU President
Tours of Poettcker Hall and the district geothermal energy system will follow. In case of bad weather, the ribbon cutting ceremony will occur indoors at this same location.
For media inquires, contact:
Kevin Kilbrei
Director, Marketing and Communications
kkilbrei
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