Feature
Story
University of Calgary
Converts to Cogen:
New system slashes emissions
amid building boom
Tom Phelps, PE, P.Eng., Principal, Stantec
Figure 1. University of Calgary Cogeneration System Central Heating and Cooling Plant Expansion, Northwest View.
Hard hats, dump trucks and cranes have been a common sight in recent years at the
University of Calgary (U of C) in Alberta,
Canada. The 45-year-old U of C Main
Campus, in the city of Calgary, is in the
final stretch of its largest-ever capital
expansion: In 2006, gearing up for an
increase of up to 7,000 students by
2010, the university launched a program of CA$1 billion ($970.2 million)
in capital improvements.
While growing the campus footprint
to keep up with enrollment, however,
the university did not want to increase
its carbon footprint. University officials
took a close look at existing and new
buildings and operations across the
campus and developed a comprehensive
growth plan that integrated its increasing energy needs with its sustainability
goals. Reflecting the U of C’s longstanding commitment to sustainability, the
plan included a multifaceted ‘Energy
Performance Initiatives’ program of conservation measures and energy efficiency improvements to lower operating
costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
Source: Stantec.
A key component of that plan
will soon be unveiled: a CA$38 million
($36.87 million) 13 MW cogeneration
plant (fig. 1) that will cut carbon
dioxide emissions by 80,000 tonnes
per year, far below both national and
global standards. As the cogeneration
project got under way in 2008, Harvey
Weingarten, then university president
and vice chancellor, said, “Being a
leader in sustainability means taking
the little and big steps. This is a
significant step in our long-term goal
to become a carbon-neutral campus.”
COGENERATION SYSTEM CENTRAL HEATING & COOLING PLANT EXPANSION
OCT 15, 2010
Northwest View
