Canfor Fort St. John Biomass Fuel Switch

Carbon offset funds enabled Canfor's Fort St. John Sawmill to operate a heat energy system that uses residues from the mill’s operations, such as unmarketable bark, that will reduce natural gas consumption and the associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

HOW IT WORKS 
The project will involve the conversion of four on-site natural gas kilns to utilize the heat from a hot oil heat exchange system that receives its heat from the new highly efficient heat energy system, equipped with associated fuel handling and storage infrastructure. Because the energy system utilizes the residual biomass from the planer and sawmills, the carbon emissions associated with the feedstock are considered to be carbon neutral (biogenic) and thus create a net decrease in the overall atmospheric carbon pools.

CARBON OFFSETS MADE IT HAPPEN 
Without offset funds, this facility would have continued to use natural gas for its kilns. Use of this technology yields savings in GHG emissions compared to the traditional approach. This project also stands as a model for energy innovation and a switch to a lower carbon future.

OTHER BENEFITS OF THE INSTALLATION 
Beyond the direct climate benefits, this installation was developed using BC-based technology and is part of the growth in the Canadian clean technology industry.