Concentrated Solar Thermal Energy for Space Heating and Domestic Hot Water in Whitehorse, Yukon

• Main Author: Tweed, Ryan
• Other Authors: Nowicki, Ed
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: Faculty of Graduate Studies 2023
• Subjects: Whitehorse; Yukon
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/1880/117442; https://doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/42285

Accounting for 17% of Canada’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, space heating and domestic hot water systems must be addressed for the country to meet its goal of net-zero GHG emissions by 2050. A renewable energy source that could be integrated into existing heating systems would have a meaningful impact on Canada’s GHG emissions. Aligned with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and 13 (Climate Action), my research assessed the GHG and cost impacts of integrating a concentrated solar thermal energy system into an existing fossil fueled heating system at a large residential building in Whitehorse, Yukon. Through analysis of historical building heat energy demand data and software modelling of local renewable heat generation potential, my findings indicate that an integrated concentrated solar thermal energy system can cost-effectively displace fossil fuel energy and reduce the building’s GHG emissions.