Alberta district heating project receives funding

Mar. 17, 2011, Sherwood Park, AB – A
biomass-fuelled district heating system will be developed, tested, and
commercialized in Sherwood Park, Alberta. The Canadian government is investing
$1.5 million towards the Resource Industry Suppliers Association and Strathcona
County for the project, with the latter two organizations each contributing
$675,000 towards the initiative.

As the first biomass district heating
system in an urban setting in Alberta, this project involves installing a
central boiler that uses biomass from wood waste and agricultural residues (oat
hulls). The new biomass heating system will be supplemented, if necessary, by
the existing natural gas heating system. It will serve nearby buildings and is
expected to create opportunities for small and medium-sized companies to tap
into supply chains related to the collection, processing, and delivery of
waste-to-fuel materials.

"This project will contribute to
Strathcona County's sustainable direction, help us develop renewable fuel
sources locally, further reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, and develop
job-related skills associated with biomass processing," says Mayor Linda
Osinchuk.