BUDGET PERIOD 1 OBJECTIVES: FINALIZE DESIGN OF A FOURTH-GENERATION, COMMUNITY-SCALE, TIDAL SOURCE GEOTHERMAL DISTRICT HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM (GDHC) IN SEWARD, ALASKA. THE SEWARD HEAT LOOP PROJECT COALITION WILL REFINE THE EXISTING 95% DESIGN OF A TRANS-CRITICAL CO2 HEAT PUMP SYSTEM THAT WILL SUPPLY OVER 90% OF THE HEATING DEMAND FOR 50% OF THE CITY BUILDINGS IN SEWARD, REDUCING DEPENDENCY ON HEATING OIL AND LOWERING CO2 EMISSIONS. THE COALITION WILL IDENTIFY DESIGN ALTERNATIVES TO FURTHER IMPROVE THE SYSTEM’S EFFICIENCY, COST-EFFECTIVENESS, GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSION REDUCTIONS, AND SYSTEM EXPANSION POTENTIAL.
THE COALITION WILL ENSURE THE LONG-TERM VIABILITY OF THE SYSTEM BY DEVELOPING A WORKFORCE TRAINING PLAN. THE PLAN WILL DETAIL LOCAL CAPACITY-BUILDING EFFORTS TO (1) ENSURE THE LONG-TERM OPERABILITY OF THE DISTRICT HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM, (2) PROVIDE A SMOOTH TRANSITION BETWEEN SYSTEM INSTALLATION AND THE EXPIRATION OF APPLICABLE WARRANTIES, AND (3) SUPPORT FUTURE DEMAND FOR COMMERCIAL OR RESIDENTIAL CO2 HEAT PUMP USE.
THE COALITION WILL IDENTIFY WAYS TO EQUITABLY DISTRIBUTE PUBLIC BENEFITS FROM THE PROJECT THROUGH EFFECTIVE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT, PROVIDING ACCESSIBLE WAYS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROCESS AND INCORPORATING RELEVANT AND PRACTICABLE INPUT.
THE COALITION WILL ENSURE THE PROJECT IS CONSTRUCTIBLE WITHIN THIS FUNDING OPPORTUNITY’S STATED TIMELINE.$192,150
· FY2023 · Department of Energy