FortisBC helps the Delta School District reduce its carbon footprint

FortisBC hits its stride, helping the Delta School District reduce its carbon footprint

Doug Stout, vice president - Energy Solutions and External Relations at FortisBC, explains to students at Pinewood Elementary School in the Delta School District how a geoexchange system works.

It’s no secret: heating and cooling the vast hallways and spaces of a school can leave a hefty carbon footprint. That’s why FortisBC has been working hard to help school districts find more energyefficient ways to provide heating and cooling for their facilities.

For School District 37 in Delta, B.C., the wheels are already in motion for 19 of its facilities. An agreement with FortisBC will result in delivery of cleaner thermal energy through the implementation of state-of-the-art geoexchange systems and high-efficiency condensing boilers to replace antiquated heating plants at the affected sites. Both systems provide many benefits, ranging from saving energy and improving indoor comfort to stable energy rates and a smaller carbon footprint.

By using cleaner thermal energy delivered by FortisBC to heat and cool its buildings, the Delta School District takes a huge step toward its goal of becoming a leader in sustainability; it will see estimated decreases of 45 per cent in its energy consumption and 64 per cent in carbon emissions. Its schools will also benefit from improved air circulation, providing a healthier indoor learning environment for students.

“Energy conservation and environmental responsibility are fundamental values for FortisBC. We are committed to developing innovative energy solutions to help meet the current and future energy needs of B.C. school districts,” says Doug Stout, vice president, energy solutions and external relations, FortisBC. “Our collaboration with the Delta School District is an excellent example of what can happen when many parties come together to find creative uses of integrated energy solutions. Through projects such as these, we can inspire students across B.C. to be conscientious about the energy they use.”

Through this collaboration, the school district is aiming to cut their carbon footprint and make progress in its ultimate goal to become carbon neutral.

“We are extremely pleased to see our project come to life,” says Dale Saip, Delta Board of Education chairperson. “The teamwork and shared vision of our organizations has resulted in an incredible learning opportunity for our kids and our community.”

FortisBC, with its ongoing focus on energy efficiency and conservation, is com mitted to implementing innovative alternative energy solutions like geoexchange for schools throughout B.C. By capturing heat from the earth and circulating it throughout buildings, these systems are an effective way to reduce energy use. As an additional benefit, in warmer months, the system can generate space cooling. The end result is reduced energy consumption, a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), and a smaller carbon footprint.

FortisBC is a leading provider of integrated energy solutions, focused on the safe and reliable provision of natural gas, propane and alternative energy. To learn more about geoexchange and other alternative energy solutions for your school, please visit fortisbc.com