Building Business Partnerships | Thursday, November 3, 2011

Yukon Energy is looking to form business partnerships with Yukon First Nations on future energy projects. To that end, we are hosting, in partnership with the Council of Yukon First Nations and Yukon Indian Development Corp., an energy forum. It's taking place on November 23rd (full day) and half a day on the 24th at the Mt. McIntrye Recreation Center in Whitehorse.

The forum will give First Nation governments and representatives a wide range of resources and case study material that will help in considering or pursuing potential business opportunities with Yukon Energy. The forum will be interactive and collaborative, although there will be a few key speakers.

If you are a Chief or Councillor of a Yukon First Nation, or a Development Corporation President, CEO or Trustee, we'd love to have you attend.

For more information please contact Colin MacKenzie at (867) 668-3908 or at conference@yidc.ca.

Is a District Energy System an Option for Whitehorse? | Thursday, November 3, 2011

As we continue our work to find new sources of clean energy, we are aware that some options (such as waste-to-energy or biomass) would result not only in the production of electricity but also of waste heat that could be used to serve buildings. That's why we are partnering with the Yukon government and the City of Whitehorse to get more information about the possibility of setting up a district energy system for Whitehorse.

The partners have awarded FVB Energy Inc. a contract worth just over $300,000 to carry out this study. FVB is a highly reputable company based in Alberta. It has been in business for nearly 30 years, providing expertise in the field of district energy to more than 20 countries.

The way district energy systems work is that there's a network of underground pipes that transports heat from an energy generation plant via steam or hot water to the customer. In Yukon’s case, we are interested in exploring how waste heat from biomass, gas and/or waste-to-energy generation projects could be used in a district energy system that could serve public and private commercial and institutional buildings.

There would be lots of benefits to Yukon:

• reduction in fossil fuel use and therefore fewer greenhouse gas emissions;
• lower heating costs for Yukoners;
• Development of a biomass fuel industry in Yukon (energy related employment, enhanced local/regional energy economy, greater energy security and improved local control); and
• Meeting the City of Whitehorse’s Sustainability and Official Community Plan objectives and meeting some of the Yukon Energy Strategy goals and certain Climate Change Action Plan objectives.

An initial study done last year indicates that a district energy system is very likely technically and economically feasible in some areas of Whitehorse, including Lewes Blvd. in Riverdale, the Whitehorse hospital area, and the downtown core. This feasibility study will confirm the findings and will explore these and other possible options in much greater detail.

FVB will start its work early this month and is expected to have its report completed by next spring.

Waste to Energy Presentations | Tuesday, November 1, 2011

You may recall that last month we hosted a workshop on the idea of turning municipal waste and wood waste into electricity and district heating. We thought you might be interested in reading the presentations given at that event.

Please note that a second workshop, this one on using bettle killed and fire killed wood to produce energy, is planned for December 1, 2011 at the Old Fire Hall in downtown Whitehorse. Watch this blog for further details, which will be posted shortly.