Innovative fix - Welding shop
Reducing Camosun's greenhouse gas emissions by 1000 tonnes per year by 2012
By moving forward with our Energy Project, Camosun College is implementing a variety of sustainability projects that we estimate will reduce the college's greenhouse gas emissions by 1000 tonnes per year by 2012. We're also helping the provincial government with its goal to create a carbon-neutral public service as well as a sustainable future for all British Columbians.
One innovative energy-saving solution at Camosun will be a new ventilation system for the welding shop in the Jack White building.
Innovative solution is the first of its kind in British Columbia
"It's always expensive to heat cold make-up or replacement air from outside to ventilate a building," says Brian Calvert, Acting Associate Director, Physical Resources. "With the Jack White welding shop, safety regulations mandate that powerful fans vent fumes outside. The old ventilation system ran almost continuously even when no welding was actually taking place, so we had to constantly heat cold replacement air to create a comfortable temperature during class."
Camosun College decided to save heating costs by installing sensor-activated fans on 54 welding booths in the Jack White welding shop. A unique filtration system for the exhaust air means clean, warm air can be recycled warm back into the welding shop, reducing the need to heat make-up air.
"The modifications to the welding shop will save Camosun $50,000 in annual heating costs, and will also reduce the Camosun College's greenhouse gas emissions by 200 tonnes each year," says Calvert. "The filtration and recycling system at the Jack White welding shop is the first of its kind to be approved for use in a workplace in British Columbia."
Welding student, Steven Oatman, with the new sensor-activated fan
The modifications to the welding shop and other sustainability projects at Camosun College were made possible by funding from the Public Sector Energy Conservation Agreement (PSECA) between BC Hydro and the BC provincial government.
Helping create a more sustainable public sector by conserving energy
By working with BC Hydro and the provincial government to develop innovative solutions, Camosun College will continue to do its part in helping BC Hydro in achieving energy savings from conservation, as well as assisting the provincial government with its goal of becoming carbon neutral by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Every small fix helps people in British Columbia towards a sustainable future.
Comments: 3. Page 1 of 1.
Dave says:
22-Mar-2011 4:47pm
Does Camosun have to pay carbon tax to the provincial government? If so, this is a smart move. If not, it's still a smart move.
Admin: Yes, Camosun College and all public post-secondary institutions are required to pay the provincial carbon tax, as part of BC’s Climate Action Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 33% 2020. (As noted in the story above, the college is already ahead of schedule!) This year the college is paying approximately $50,000 for "carbon offsets" through the Pacific Carbon Trust as part of the new carbon tax program. The government estimates that BC's carbon tax will save up to three million tonnes of CO2 emissions each year, which is equal to taking almost 800,000 cars off the road each year. For more about BC's carbon tax, visit http://www.fin.gov.bc.ca/tbs/tp/climate/carbon_tax.htm
steveaustin says:
22-Mar-2011 1:19pm
great to see the college stepping up and becoming environmentally proactive.
Felix says:
23-Mar-2011 12:26pm
I think this is great!