A Greener Way to Heat This City Is in the Works

Winnipeg, the capital of Manitoba, Canada, is discussing converting the city’s ice hockey arenas’ heating systems to geothermal – since it could cut costs, reduce pollution and potentially generate some revenues.

“Geothermal must be an option in Winnipeg,” says area city councillor Ross Eadie. “In the long run it’s much better — not only for the environment but for your heating and cooling costs.”

Some $8 million are allocated to turn aging arenas into green energy sources by getting rid of natural gas heating systems and replacing them with geothermal energy. Geothermal, or ground source, consists in using the earth’s natural heat. By becoming a host of public buildings, the West Kildonan arena could store and redistribute the heat produced in an eco-friendlier way where it is most needed. Through the change in the heating system, the buildings would slash their greenhouse emissions, which took up close to 45% of Winnipeg’s emissions in 2020.