TRU – Ground broken on landmark low-carbon district energy system

Thompson Rivers University (TRU) took a significant step forward in its journey to achieve zero carbon emissions with a groundbreaking ceremony for its Low-Carbon District Energy System (LCDES) Thursday (Aug. 29, 2024).

The project, a collaboration between TRU, Creative Energy and BC Hydro, makes TRU one of the first universities in North America to reach zero carbon.

The ceremony, held at the future site of the Sustainability Powerhouse on the Kamloops campus, was attended by representatives from TRU, Creative Energy and BC Hydro, as well as local government officials and members of the community.

The LCDES is set to reduce the university’s greenhouse gas emissions by 95 per cent. The LCDES will replace the university’s aging natural gas boilers with a high-efficiency electrified district heating system powered by renewable electricity. The system will eliminate more than 100,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions over the next 30 years — the equivalent of planting a 4,000-acre forest.

“Today marks a pivotal moment in TRU’s sustainability journey,” said TRU president Brett Fairbairn.

“The LCDES will not only transform our campus into one of the greenest in North America but will also serve as a model for universities and communities around the world. Our partnership with Creative Energy and BC Hydro is crucial in realizing this vision and together we are making a lasting impact on our environment.”

Construction of the Sustainability Powerhouse, which serves as the heart of the LCDES, begins this fall. The powerhouse features cutting-edge air-source and water-source heat pumps, along with backup and peaking boilers.

The system will initially connect 13 key buildings on campus, with plans for future expansion to additional buildings, including those owned by the City of Kamloops and those being developed by the TRU Community Trust.

“Creative Energy is proud to be a part of this landmark project,” said Diego Mandelbaum, senior vice-president of development at Creative Energy. “The LCDES at TRU demonstrates the remarkable outcomes that can be accomplished when industry and public sector collaborate with a common purpose: to combat climate change.”

“Having a clean, reliable, renewable and economic source of electricity is one of our greatest strengths here in B.C., and we are proud to collaborate on this Low-Carbon District Energy System project that will lay the foundation for more sustainable campuses across the province,” said Diana Stephenson, BC Hydro’s senior vice-president of customer and corporate affairs.

“Last year, we named Thompson Rivers University a Clean Energy Champion for its leadership in climate action, and we are excited for this monumental step in the project.”

The Sustainability Powerhouse will feature a poetry wall recognizing donor support for the Low-Carbon District Energy System. Donors who contribute to advancing sustainability will have a letter dedicated in their name with a custom engraving.

For more information about the LCDES project, please visit tru.ca/lcdes.