Client: City of Revelstoke / Revelstoke Community Energy Corp.
Year: 2005 startup
Project Highlights
- 1.5 MW wood biomass thermal energy source
- 1.7 MW of hot water production 2,200 kg/hr low pressure steam production1.7 MW of hot water production
- 2,200 kg/hr low pressure steam production
Small Town Community Energy Sustainability
This project was a win win for the community of Revelstoke. They were able to leverage the low cost wood waste produced by the local sawmill to generate thermal energy for the heating of customer buildings within the community, as well as to produce steam for consumption by the saw mills kiln dryers.
FVB provided business and technical services to develop a financially feasible project scope and business case, followed by detailed design services, construction support, and operational support with system expansion. FVB also developed fuel purchase and energy sales agreements between the Owner and sawmill fuel supplier and thermal energy customers.
Predesign scoping studies looked at the potential for a Combined Heat and Power style project, but the economics favoured a heat only community energy project. The heat only project relies on the symbiotic relationship between the local mill supplying biomass fuel for heat production to serve local town buildings, with the district heating facility also producing supplemental steam for the saw mills drying kilns.
A thermal oil loop was incorporated into the biomass combustion system in order to help minimize the requirement for full time operating staff which was a key driver for the feasibility of this project.
Although not required due to the biomass combustors relatively small scale, an ESP was included to help minimize particulates in the exhaust gas and ensure good air quality for adjacent neighbors.
Quick Stats
- Trench meters of installed piping: Over 2500 trench meters of distribution pipe installed
- Building connections: 12 building ETS connections
- MW of heating plant built: 3.25 MW total thermal energy production capacity
- Number of studies completed: Two
- NG avoided (m3): Propane is the peaking and backup fuel used at the plant.
Keywords
Wood biomass heater; District heating; Saw mill residue; Reduced operating staff count