Susan Fennell Sportsplex: Net Zero through Electrification & Geothermal Retrofit

IDEA2026 Poster 08

Presentation Description: - Project Context: Retrofit of a large municipal facility to achieve Net Zero emissions. - Core Technology: Implementation of a geothermal system as the primary heating and cooling solution. - Integration: Coupling geothermal with electrification and renewable energy sources for maximum impact. - Performance Outcome: Significant reduction in GHG emissions, with remaining offset through carbon credits. - Key Takeaways: Practical design considerations, operational strategies, and lessons learned for applying geothermal solutions in community projects.

Case Study: The Susan Fennell Sportsplex retrofit demonstrates how geothermal technology can drive municipal decarbonization. It features a 72-borehole, 260-meter-deep vertical geothermal ground source loop. This system interconnects ice plants, DHW, pool heating, and heat pumps via multiple hydronic loops. Combined with solar PV and electrification, the project achieves a 91% GHG reduction, with the remaining 9% offset through carbon credits. This case study offers technical insights and operational lessons for implementing geothermal retrofits in community facilities.

Topic: Geothermal, Geo-Exchange, and Networked Geo


Daood Ilyas

Daood Ilyas

Senior Project Engineer

Johnson Controls

Daood is a senior project engineer, whose work focuses on engineering, process, and financial tasks during both development and implementation of energy efficiency and decarbonization projects. He contributes to project development by performing energy modelling, energy savings calculations, economic analysis and preparing scopes of work for subcontractors for the facility improvement measures identified for development. During project implementation phase, he provides engineering support by ensuring that the installation of new equipment meets the design criteria. In his previous roles, he focused mainly on the review of projects for energy efficiency programs, energy auditing, measurement and verification, technology characterization studies, assessment of technical and economic viability of energy efficiency and renewable energy options, assistance in the design and implementation of DSM programs, and research, modelling and analysis related to energy efficiency. His areas of expertise and knowledge include energy efficiency, sustainable and renewable energy technologies, and modelling and data analysis. Daood holds a Bachelor of Science (Aerospace Engineering) from the Institute of Space Technology and a Master of Engineering (Sustainable Energy) from Carleton University. He currently holds Professional Engineer (P. Eng.) designation from Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO). He is registered as Certified Energy Manager (CEM) and Certified Measurement & Verification Professional (CMVP) with the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE). He is also registered as Certified RETScreen Expert with the Canadian Institute for Energy Training (CIET).

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0.06 CEUs credits  |  Certificate available