Local Students Energized by HCE District Energy Centre Tour
By- Hamilton Community Energy
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Students from Waterdown District High School recently toured Hamilton Community Energy’s (HCE) downtown co-generation plant to learn how HCE is working in partnership with the City of Hamilton to find innovative energy solutions.
Built, owned and operated by HCE since 2002, the local District Energy System (DES) leverages reclaimed thermal energy, created through the production of electricity by a natural gas generator, to heat 12 commercial and institutional facilities and 2 multi-residential apartment buildings in the Hamilton core. The 3.2 Mw hours of thermal energy produced by the generator is enough to satisfy heating and domestic hot water needs for all of HCE’s downtown customers – including City Hall, Copps Coliseum, the Farmers’ Market, the main branch of the Hamilton Public Library, the Hamilton Wentworth Board of Education, Sir John A. MacDonald High School, the Lister Block, MacNab Street, four buildings of the Central Utilities Plan and two apartment buildings. Three system boilers (that run as much as 25 per cent more efficiently than older boilers) provide the heat required during the winter months.
For each of the last four years, teacher, Tim Carr, has been bringing students from his school’s ‘Outbound’ environmental/experiential program to HCE to see how alternative energy sources they’ve been studying in class are applied in real-life situations. “We talk a lot about using energy efficiently at the same time our students are bombarded with concern about traditional energy sources and greenhouse gases. I think it is very hopeful for them to see what HCE and the City are doing together to fuel solutions,” says Mr. Carr on explaining why he thinks the tour is so valuable. “It’s an excellent opportunity for them to be exposed to some of the innovative technologies that are out there. In turn, I see our students promoting solutions and engaging other people in the community in conversations about conservation.”
In addition to seeing the downtown co-gen plant, the students heard about two more facilities that HCE operates. One uses bio-gas from the Woodward Waste Water Treatment Plant while the other, at the McMaster Innovation Park, incorporates geo-exchange and solar thermal technologies to generate energy.
“I was really impressed with how they were able to shut down so many boilers by harnessing energy that was previously being wasted” said Grade 12 student, Addison Pennie. “It’s encouraging to see local initiatives that can reduce the impact we have on the environment.”
John Summers, Operations and Maintenance Engineer for HCE, helps lead school tours at the plant and coordinate student co-op partnerships with Sir John A. MacDonald Secondary School and St. Mary Catholic Secondary School. “Any time we can help inspire the next generation of energy stewards by showing them some of the newest and most innovative technologies, it’s a good thing,” says Summers. “We get to see them at a time when they are formulating their values about consumption and considering their career opportunities. I’m excited to think that what they see here will help shape their choices – personally and/or professionally.”
HCE is invested in environmental and sustainable resource education through various high school and college co-op programs, including tours of the award-winning facility. For more information on how you can book a tour or learn more about HCE’s education partnerships, go to http://hamiltonce.com/ or call Betsy Rouw at 905-317-4595.
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