The Esk’etemc indigenous community in Alkali Lake, British Columbia, (BC) Canada installed biomass boilers to facilitate a transition from fossil fuel community-heating to a more stable, long-term biomass heating solution, as Madison’s Heating Wood Pellet Pricesreported.
Phase 1 of this project to convert from propane to biomass was completed in summer 2019 with the installation of two boilers which heat eight buildings in the community. Phase 2 began in autumn 2019 and will involve the installation of more boilers to heat five additional community buildings, as well as the construction of a biomass drying shelter to keep the moisture content of feedstock below 30%.
The Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) is providing funding to the Esk’etemc to use woody biomass from a wildfire-risk reduction project as feedstock. Slash piles will be ground into chips and hauled to the biomass drying shelter before being used to heat community buildings. Funding for the project’s infrastructure was provided by Canada’s federal government.
Phase 3 of the project will deliver heat to additional institutional buildings and residences in the community.
