The biomass-based District Energy System (DES) provides economic and environmental benefits to the City of Prince George. It heats many key buildings in downtown Prince George, while reducing 1,900 plus tonnes of greenhouse gases per year. The system takes what was previously considered waste heat from the Lakeland sawmill and transfers it through insulated piping to heat the downtown area.
The District Energy System's benefits include:
- Reducing particulate emissions in the city air shed.
- Permitting the City and its customers to meet greenhouse gas reduction goals.
- Reducing the City's reliance on non-renewable fossil fuels.
- Helping position the City as a leader in bioenergy application.
- Assisting with energy security and stability.
- Keeping energy-related funds in the community.
- Assisting with downtown renewal.
- Generating non-tax revenue for the City.
Click the above image to view a map of Prince George's District Energy System
Economic Benefits
- Provides energy price certainty.
- Generates new non-tax revenue.
- Reduces carbon tax payments.
- Avoids capital costs for future facility upgrades.
- Strengthens industry sustainability through partnerships.
- Is an attraction for businesses.
- Ensures energy dollars remain in our community.
Environmental Benefits
- Reduces total net particulate matter reduction by 100.7 tonnes per year.
- Reduces total greenhouse gas reduction by 1,868 tonnes per year.
- Supports forestry - the mainstay of the local economy - and is more cost-effective to implement than any other potential renewable energy sources.
Biomass
City Council approved the next steps towards developing a wood fibre-based downtown district energy system on June 7, 2010. This system will provide carbon-neutral green energy to buildings in downtown Prince George.
Peaking Backup Energy Centre
The Peaking Backup Energy Centre was completed in 2012 and houses the City's distribution pumps and peaking backup natural gas-fired boilers. These provide hot water to the District during times when Lakeland Mills is shut down for routine maintenance or during very cold weather when there is high demand for heat.
Exterior of the Peaking Backup Energy Centre.
A natural gas-fired boiler.
Interior of the Peaking Backup Energy Centre.
Distribution Piping System
The Distribution Piping System (DPS) from Lakeland Sawmill to the Energy Centre, City Hall, Civic Centre, Coliseum, Art Gallery, and the Four Seasons Pool was completed May 2012 and each building contains Energy Transfer Stations. The City now provides space heating and domestic hot water to these buildings with water heated from the Lakeland Mills energy system. This system burns sawmill residues (woody biomass) with greater efficiency and reduced emissions.