Carbon Capture Pilot Program

Our Carbon Capture Pilot Program is using first-in-the-world technology to help BC businesses save energy and decrease greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, while continuing to use affordable natural gas.

We’ve given pilot program participants carbon capture units, which can reduce the energy usage of commercial natural gas boilers by up to 10 per cent, and convert carbon dioxide (CO2) into soda ash, a usable byproduct.1

Expected benefits of carbon capture technology for businesses

  • reduce energy usage, saving money on energy bills
  • reduce GHG emissions, helping BC meet emission reduction goals—while benefitting from the affordability of natural gas

Natural gas: part of BC’s low-carbon future

Our six-month Carbon Capture Pilot Program launched in November 2017, with the goal of increasing acceptance of this innovative natural gas technology in the marketplace. Businesses taking part in the pilot include LUSH Cosmetics, Baptist Housing, Cadillac Fairview Richmond Centre and QuadReal in Victoria.

Why carbon capture technology matters

The carbon capture units are produced by Calgary-based CleanO2 Carbon Capture Technologies. Our director of energy solutions, Jason Wolfe, and CleanO2 CEO Jaeson Cardiff, talk about why this technology is such a game-changer:

How carbon capture works

The carbon capture unit diverts some of the carbon dioxide (CO2) from the main exhaust flue before it’s vented outside, reducing emissions. The diverted CO2 undergoes a chemical reaction, which produces:

  1. surplus heat - used later to offset energy demand
  2. sodium carbonate (soda ash, also known as washing soda) -  a versatile mineral used to make pharmaceuticals, glass and soap

According to CleanO2, each unit can create up to 6.7 tons of soda ash per year, and operate for up to 25 years.

Questions?

For more information on this program and carbon capture technology, email [email protected].

1According to CleanO2 Carbon Capture Technologies CEO Jaeson Cardiff: http://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/local-businesses-capture-emissions-and-save-energy-through-fortisbc-pilot-program-1008826849