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Terasen Gas and BC community form bioenergy partnership

The City of Quesnel in British Columbia and Terasen Gas have signed a letter of intent (LOI) to conduct final feasibility work on a renewable energy system in Quesnel in cooperation with West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. and BC Hydro. The LOI represents an agreement in principle to implement a combined heat and power system that will serve as both an energy source and economic benefit for its partners and the communities they serve.

 

The Quesnel Community Energy System (QCES) is a biomass system that will use waste heat and left-over residues from milling at West Fraser's Quesnel sawmill to generate both heat and electricity. The approach and technologies employed make the project a first in North America, says the two parties, adding that no trees or other forest biomass will be harvested solely to power the QCES.

 

“The City is excited about this innovative and sustainable energy project,” said Mayor Mary Sjostrom. “The project would not be moving forward without Terasen's critical technical and financing role, or without West Fraser's strong cooperation. We look forward to forging a strong and lasting relationship around this project.”

 

“Community-based energy solutions allow us to incorporate new or alternative technologies—in this case, recovered heat and sawmill residuals—as part of our regulated energy service offerings,” said Doug Stout, vice president of Energy Solutions and External Relations at Terasen Gas and FortisBC. “The City of Quesnel has shown great leadership and vision in exploring the potential for this project and moving it forward, which supports our efforts to move B.C. towards a sustainable energy future. The QCES will provide many benefits, including environmental protection, affordable costs for customers and proven reliability.”

 

The system is expected to provide 5.5 MW of heat to numerous industrial, municipal, commercial or multi-family residential buildings in Quesnel. It will also produce up to 1.7 MW of electricity, which is proposed for purchase by BC Hydro for re-sale, providing its customers with access to a clean source of power.

 

For more information on bioenergy capabilities in BC, check out www.bcbioenergy.ca.

July 10, 2010  By  John Gilson



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