Helical Piles for Geothermal Exchange Unit in Atlin BC
The Taku River Tlingit First Nation community in Atlin relies on a geothermal exchange system. This unit uses an open-loop system to sustainably heat and cool their buildings. Their original system froze and failed because it was located in shallow water. Our team worked with Stantec to design and install foundation system for the new unit.
The Challenge
The actual site of this project was 60 feet below the surface of Atlin Lake. This required the construction of a modular barge system to deploy our diving team. The piles also needed to be galvanized for protection against continuous exposure to water. Finally, due to the remoteness of the location, a great deal of logistics planning was performed in advance of construction. Our team considered all these factors when drafting the design for safe and efficient completion of this project.
The Solution
TerraCana completed the entire underwater aspect of the project. This included piling, scour control, heat exchanger installation and piping work. Our professional team completed this project in one month with no safety incidents. Now, the community in Atlin has a durable Geothermal Exchange Unit that is deep enough underwater to avoid freezing in the winter. The new unit will provide heating and cooling regardless of the outside temperatures.
The Outcome
Technical Specifications
Key Outcomes
