Campus Energy Centre
Do you hear all that rumbling from the Campus Energy Centre (CEC)? Energy & Water Services is in the process of re-designing the three existing stacks on the rooftop to reduce the rumbling. The first phase of this project is commencing this summer (2022), and the second phase is anticipated in Summer 2023. In addition to this project, Technical Safety BC (TSBC) has approved the CEC to operate remotely from the Bioenergy Research Demonstration Facility (BRDF), and the security at the CEC will be strengthened. This upgrade is anticipated in Fall 2022.
Bioenergy Research Demonstration Facilities (BRDF)
With new equipment being installed from the BRDF expansion (12MW boiler) project and the remote operation of the CEC, a number of upgrades and renovations are anticipated to be completed at the BRDF.
The control room at the BRDF will require an upgrade and renovation to house all the new monitors from the BRDF expansion, and is anticipated to be completed in Fall 2022. The existing cogeneration engine generates both heat (steam) and electricity while burning Renewable Natural Gas (RNG), is near the end of its serviceable life and a new engine will be installed. The new engine will be more efficient and generate less Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), a gas formed when fuel is burned at high temperatures; and offset the electrical demands on the UBC Vancouver campus by providing thermal energy to heat the campus as well as a revenue through a Load Displacement Agreement with BC Hydro.
Lastly, the cogeneration engine and gasifier vents gases are generally quite hot, producing thermal energy that does not get used. In order to capture this wasted thermal energy (heat) and recycle it back into the District Energy System (DES), two condensing economizers will be installed in Summer 2022, followed by the installation of heat pumps. This installation will further boost the value of the captured thermal energy and increase the thermal output for a minimal cost of electricity and increase the efficiency of heating the UBC campus. This project is anticipated to be completed in early 2023.