University News

Energy Efficiency Project at Bishop’s University

June 13, 2011

BACKGROUNDER

Bishop’s University prides itself on its commitment to sustainability. Embodied in student groups, multi-stake committees and individual actions, this commitment has led, among other projects, to the creation of Gaiter Gears (a bike share initiative), the signing of the Talloires declaration, and the campus becoming the first bottle-water free university in Quebec. However, Bishop`s University has taken an even more impressive and permanent step towards an environmentally friendly future with its new energy efficiency project.

Valued at $8 million dollars, the energy efficiency project is a campus wide initiative that will significantly reduce energy use and greenhouse gas production at the University. The project includes upgrading campus lighting with energy efficient fixtures and optimizing the campus building automated controls for heating, ventilation and air conditioning to fit the needs of each individual building and room. The largest and most costly element of the project is the implementation of the first Canadian university geothermal district heating system.

Much of the first phase of work has been done or is nearing completion. This includes the conversion of the campuses steam heating system to high efficiency hot water systems and installing energy efficient light fixtures. The second phase, commencing in June, consists of drilling 60 wells to a depth of 150 meters under the soccer field located beside the W.B Scott Arena. As geothermal heating harvests free heat from the earth, the campuses fossil fuel consumption is further reduced.

Once completed, the energy efficiency project will reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by more than 60%, natural gas usage by 64% and will eliminate the use of oil to heat. The use of electric heat pumps will increase electricity consumption (Hydro-Quebec) by 17%, in fact offsetting the reductions occurring from other energy sources.

This project will greatly reduce Bishop’s University’s environmental impact. The University continues to examine further opportunities to improve sustainability; current initiatives being considered include a campus forest project which aims to make Bishop’s campus carbon neutral. A sustainable development audit is also underway to assess Bishop’s current sustainability in regards to its economy, its community, and the environment. This audit will prove invaluable as the University pursues its ambitions to be among Canada’s most sustainably responsible universities.

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