Biomass for residential and commercial heating in a remote Canadian aboriginal community

Renewable Energy

Volume 86, February 01, 2016, Pages 563-575

  (Article)

Stephen, J.D.^a , 

Mabee, W.E.^a, 

Pribowo, A.^b, 

Pledger, S.^c, 

Hart, R.^d, 

Tallio, S.^d, 

Bull, G.Q.^c

 

^a  Queen's Institute for Energy and Environmental Policy, Queen's University, 138 Union Street, Robert Sutherland Hall, Kingston, ON, Canada
^b  Indonesia International Institute for Life Sciences, Jl. Pulomas Barat Kav 88, Jakarta Timur, Indonesia
^c  Department of Forest Resources Management, University of British Columbia, 2424 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada 

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Abstract

Most residents of Canada's 300 remote communities do not have access to natural gas and must rely upon higher cost and/or less convenient heat sources such as electric heat, heating (furnace) oil, propane, and/or cord wood. This research sought to determine the techno-economic feasibility of increasing biomass utilization for space and hot water heating in remote, off-grid communities in Canada and abroad using a two-option case study approach: 1) a district energy system (DES) connected to a centralized heat generation energy centre fuelled by wood chips; and 2) a decentralized heating option with wood pellet boilers in each individual residence and commercial building. The Nuxalk First Nation Bella Coola community was selected as a case study, with GIS, ground surveys, and climate data used to design DES routes and determine heat demand. It was determined that biomass has the potential to reduce heat costs, reduce the cost of electricity subsidization for electrical utilities, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and increase energy independence of remote communities. Although results of the analysis are site-specific, the research methodology and general findings on heat-source economic competitiveness could be utilized to support increased bioheat production in remote, off-grid communities for improved socio-economic and environmental outcomes. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd.

Author keywords

Aboriginal; Bioheat; Biomass; District energy; District heating; Remote community

Indexed keywords

Engineering controlled terms: Biomass; Costs; District heating; Electric power transmission networks; Gas emissions; Greenhouse gases; Heating; Ionization of gases; Office buildings; Wood products

Aboriginal; Bio-heat; District energy; District energy systems; Economic competitiveness; Remote communities; Research methodologies; Techno-economic feasibility

Engineering main heading: Economic analysis

PaperChem Variable: Biomass; Economic Analysis; Research; Surveys

ISSN: 09601481Source Type: Journal Original language: English

DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2015.08.048Document Type: Article

Publisher: Elsevier Ltd

Funding Details

Number; Sponsor: IT02133; Mitacs

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  Stephen, J.D.; Queen's Institute for Energy and Environmental Policy, Queen's University, 138 Union Street, Robert Sutherland Hall, Canada
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