Thunder Bay’s Confederation College is embarking on a new energy initiative that aims to store surplus power. The college, in collaboration with Synergy North, has secured $3.2 million from Ontario’s Grid Innovation Fund to construct a large-scale heat pump and thermal storage facility on the Thunder Bay campus.
Karla Bailey, Synergy North’s vice-president of system planning, asset management, and engineering, expressed enthusiasm for the project, highlighting its significance in northwestern Ontario’s innovation landscape. Bailey emphasized the pioneering nature of the project in the province and its potential to set a precedent for other institutions.
The thermal storage facility will enable the college to store excess power and feed it back into the provincial grid during periods of peak demand, according to Bailey. While the college oversees the physical construction of the new system, Synergy North will provide the operational software.
Confederation College President Michelle Salo emphasized that the new system will offer students a valuable hands-on learning experience. Students will have direct access to the energy system, allowing them to observe the operation of components such as the biomass boiler and various energy sources.
Salo underscored that the upgraded system will enhance the college’s energy efficiency, leading to long-term cost savings. She stressed the importance of sustainability, both financially and environmentally, in implementing such initiatives.
The college aims to have the system operational within two years, as per Salo’s expectations.