August 19, 2010

Cogeneration plant on-time and on-budget

The Minister of Industry, Tony Clement, described the long-term benefit of the cogeneration plant as "second to none." Photo credit: Riley BrandtThe Minister of Industry, Tony Clement, paid a visit to the University of Calgary's new cogeneration plant and the Taylor Family Digital Library (TFDL) Wednesday morning. The plant, TFDL and the Schulich School of Engineering received federal funding through the Knowledge infrastructure Program (KIP).

All KIP funded projects are, according to Bob Ellard, Facilities Management and Development vice-president, “on-time and on-budget” including the co-generation plant.

Clement after first seeing the massive gas turbine generator and combustion chamber, which closely resembles a jet engine, commented that it is "impressive."

The cogeneration plant uses combined heat and power as an efficient, clean and reliable approach to generating power and thermal energy from a single fuel source. The plant will supply campus buildings with 99.9 percent of their energy needs, cutting university CO₂ emissions by 80,000 tonnes and saving $3.5 million in energy costs annually.

(Left to right) Alan Harrison, provost and vice-president (academic), Bob Ellard, Facilities Management and Development vice-president, Tony Clement, minister of industry and Jim Dinning, U of C chancellor.
Photo credit: Riley Brandt Project manager, Ian Thompson, discussed in detail not only how the cogeneration plant works, but pointed out a few key features including a built-in classroom that will give students the opportunity to study co-generation technology first-hand.

"What's standing here was a really good idea ten years ago, a really good concept two years ago, and in six months time will be probably the single most effective initiative that the university [of Calgary] has embarked upon to reduce their green house gas footprint and reduce utilities cost," says Thompson.

The government considers the stimulus plan a long-term investment that will ensure the Canadian economy remains competitive and innovative. “What better place to do that than in an institution such as the University of Calgary,” stated Clement. “What a great way to teach the lessons of new energy options.”

The cogeneration plant will be operational in March 2011.
To watch a video of the news conference, visit: http://www.jetvision.tv/video.aspx?videoID=53809&playerID=2