INTEGRATING OPERATIONS AND RESEARCH TO DEMONSTRATE BIOENERGY HEATING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA

Abstract

INTRODUCTION The University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) has implemented two bioenergy heating projects to demonstrate renewable energy and carry out research on sustainable resource usage. These projects are of particular interest to remote communities and further the institution's aim to be Canada's Green University™. The wood pellet system is a template for a community building heating system, while the gasification system is sufficient to supply a community scale district energy system. Both projects demonstrate that bioenergy can be implemented at an institutional level, low levels of particulate emissions are achievable, and that integrating campus operations with research provides relevant demonstration of leading-edge technology.