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Bioenergy Projects Overview
The Pellet Project, right, and the Biomass Gasification System, left, while under construction.
Biomass Gasification System
 Summary
UNBC is installing a biomass gasification system with Nexterra
Energy of BC that will provide heat to the core campus buildings and
offset an estimated 85% of current natural gas consumption.This $15
million project is being funded by the federal and provincial
governments. The facility is currently being built by IDL Projects of
Prince George and will be operational by early 2011. Fuel will be
provided by Lakeland Mills, a family-owned sawmill in Prince George.
Goal
- To displace 85% of natural gas used for core campus heating.
- To demonstrate syngas production and biomass campus heating
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Performance
- Avoided: 3500 tonnes of CO2
- Particulate: less than 10 mg/m3 (contract)
- Operational: January 2011
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Highlights
- First university owned district heating system using biomass heat in Canada
- Capacity: 15 MMBtu/hr
- Fuel: Local wood residue
- Integrated research laboratory
- LEED Gold building
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Research
- Energy balance
- Syngas composition
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Statistics
- Fuel: 8,000 green tonnes/yr
- Fuel moisture content: Up to 60%
- Heat: 61,000 GJ/yr
- Capital cost: $15.7 M
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Components
- 4.3 m diameter gasifier
- 4.4 MW flue gas boiler
- 60 t hog fuel storage
- Electrostatic precipitator
- 1400 m2 bioenergy building
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Partners
- UNBC
- Nexterra Systems Corp.
- Knowledge Infrastructure Program
- Public Sector Energy Conservation Agreement
- Innovative Clean Energy Fund
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Summary
Since starting operations in May 2009, the Biomass Pellet Project has produced incredibly low emissions that have reached natural
gas levels. The system, worth about $500,000, is seamlessly integrated
with the building’s existing natural gas heating system and is a
platform for applied research, focusing on both airborne emissions and
the use of ash as a soil additive.
Goal
- To examine the commercial and environmental benefits of utilizing biomass for energy production at UNBC
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Performance
- Fuel conversaion efficiency >90%
- 130 tonnes of fossil fuel CO2 avoided per year
- Operational: May 2009
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Highlights
- First university owned and operated biomass heating system in Canada
- Fueled by locally produced wood pellets
- High temperature particulate filter
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- Energy Balance
- Material balance
- Ash as soil amendment
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Partners
- UNBC
- Western Economic Diversification
- Wood Pellet Association of Canada
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Components
- 400 kW pellet boiler
- 2500L heat storage tank
- 50t fuel storage hopper
- High temperature particulate filter
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Statistics
- Fuel: 150 tonnes/yr
- Heat: 2,640 GJ/yr
- Bottom Ash: 390 kg/yr
- Fly ash: 30kg/yr
- Capital cost: $486,000
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Public Interest
- 700 people toured in first year
- Students, businesses, and Government
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