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UBC Sustainability

Steam to Hot Water Conversion



What's this all about?

This project consists of replacing UBC's steam system infrastructure with a modern hot water heating system.

Why is this important?

This new hot water heating system will increase the operational efficiencies and therefore will significantly decrease the amount of energy used and result in financial savings. Moreover, the new hot water system will have the ability to heat the campus while operating at a much lower average temperature of 80°C, reducing heat distribution losses.

What does the future look like?

The conversion project will end in 2017. The modern hot water system will results in several benefits. For example the new hot water system will: •Heat 131 buildings on campus •Reduce UBC’s district heating system energy use 24 by per cent •Reduce UBC’s GHG emissions by 22 per cent, the equivalent of reducing 11,000 tonnes of GHG emissions, or taking 2,000 cars off the road •Save $4 million a year in operational and energy costs

What are the ecological benefits?

The new system operates at a lower temperature and therefore less energy supply is required. In addition, this will improve the exploration and development of green technologies for the collaboration between researchers, students, stadd, and industry partners.

Although it is a expensive and a long-term investment, it is an investment in sustainable infrastructure with a lifetime of approximately 60 to 80 years.