Thunder Bay’s Confederation College is embarking on a fresh energy initiative to enable the storage of surplus power. The college, in collaboration with Synergy North, has secured $3.2 million from Ontario’s Grid Innovation Fund for the establishment of a large-scale heat pump and thermal storage facility on the Thunder Bay campus.
Karla Bailey, Vice President of System Planning, Asset Management, and Engineering at Synergy North, expressed enthusiasm, deeming it a significant stride in innovation for northwestern Ontario. She highlighted the pioneering nature of the project within the province, anticipating its impact and potential replication across other educational institutions.
The thermal storage facility is poised to empower the college to store excess energy for later redistribution to the provincial grid during peak demand, as explained by Bailey. While the college leads the physical construction, Synergy North will contribute the operational software for seamless functionality.
Michelle Salo, the President of Confederation College, emphasized the educational value of the new system for students. She mentioned that students will have direct access to observe the live energy system during their practical sessions, showcasing elements like the biomass boiler and energy inputs such as electricity and natural gas.
Salo underscored that the implementation of the new system will enhance energy efficiency, ultimately resulting in cost savings for the college in the long run. She reiterated the importance of sustainability, both financially and environmentally, in driving this initiative forward.
Looking ahead, Salo expressed optimism for the system to be operational within a two-year timeframe, marking a significant milestone in the college’s energy management strategy.
