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CHP & COGENERATION
The False Creek Energy Centre
& FVB Energy
FVB Energy has successfully served the energy system needs of industrial facilities in North
America and Europe. AIP looks at one of its prestigious projects - the South East False Creek
Energy Centre (FCEC) - which features the installation of some unique sewage heat pumps.
There’s a movement in North
America towards maintaining a
combination of district energy
systems, combined heat and power (CHP)
or other on-site power generation, and
thermal energy storage. It has been
realised that these can significantly boost
energy supply reliability.
FVB Energy is one company which has
successfully served the energy system
needs of industrial facilities in North
America and Europe. A good example of
the company’s work is the South East
False Creek Energy Centre (FCEC) in
Vancouver, British Columbia, which first
opened in January 2010.
The FCEC uses mechanical vapour
heat pumps for heat recovery from
sewage that serves the base heat load for
the South East False Creek development.
The heat output of the energy centre is
26MW.
The first sewage heat pump was
installed in Phase One, with room for
expansion for a second heat pump that
The FCEC features stylish designs -
outside and inside.
The False Creek Energy Centre [FCEC] is an innovative heating plant which
produces domestic hot water and space heating for the Neighbourhood Energy
Utility [NEU] that serves some of Vancouver's communities.
will contribute approximately 70% of the
base load energy requirements for the
District Energy System.
The sewage heat pumps are installed in
a series counter-flow arrangement with
dual helical rotary compressors.
These provide the advantages of
improved full load efficiency, improved
part load efficiency, increased turndown,
improved reliability and extended
operating range, reports FVB Energy. The
units used are unique, and are the first of
their kind in North America, reports FVB
Energy.
The sewage pumped through the heat
pump is raw sewage, meaning that it is
untreated and is filtered to allow only
small particles to pass through. The heat
pumps work by pumping warm sewage
waste through the evaporator side of the
heat pump.
This heat, coupled with the mechanical
compression of the refrigerant, produces
hot water which is pumped through the
condenser of the heat pump. The heat
pump produces 80°C water on the
condenser side.
At New York’s University of Rochester
FVB Energy has completed the schematic
design and is now preparing the detailed
plan for a major new district hot water
network and related building connections.
A new district heating system will replace
an older steam system, and is being
undertaken in conjunction with the
implementation of combined heat and
power (CHP) with an ultimate capacity of
18 - 20 MegaWatts (MW) electric.
A 7 MWe low pressure steam turbine will
be installed in 2005, and a 18 MWe high
pressure turbine is planned for later
implementation.
It’s felt that both projects these reflect
national commitments - in both Canada
and the USA - towards green energy and
in the reduction of greenhouse gases.
emissions.
AIP
Internet link
www.fvbenergy.com
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A UTUMN 2010 • AMERICAN I NDEPENDENT P OWER