Metro Vancouver and FortisBC Energy Inc. announced on March 15, 2021 a formal collaboration to work together to achieve regional climate-action goals. An example of that collaboration in action is the new Lulu Island Biogas Facility, where biogas will be turned into renewable natural gas that can heat more than 600 homes on the FortisBC grid.
The new facility, located in Richmond, B.C. at Metro Vancouver’s Lulu Island Wastewater Treatment Plant site, now allows the unused biogas to be cleaned, stored and sold to purchasers such as FortisBC as Renewable Natural Gas (RNG). Renewable Natural Gas can blend seamlessly in existing gas infrastructure running throughout the province. As a low carbon substitute, increasing the amount of RNG in the FortisBC natural gas system helps reduce net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions versus conventional natural gas.
Biogas is generated as a byproduct of the liquid wastewater treatment process, and some biogas from this facility has been used as a fuel for indoor heating and plant processes for many years. The new facility cleans biogas from the plant using a water-based scrubbing technology that’s self-contained to make it pipeline ready for FortisBC’s natural gas system.
Metro Vancouver and FortisBC have agreed to support four major environmental initiatives:
- enhancing renewable energy supply and usage,
- improving local air quality,
- reducing greenhouse gas emissions in transportation; and,
- supporting high-performance buildings and industrial facilities through energy efficiency and conservation, renewable gas use and innovation.
Metro Vancouver and FortisBC will jointly explore opportunities to collaborate on climate-action initiatives that are effective, ambitious and equitable, while supporting innovation, safety, reliability and affordability.
You can watch a video of the construction of the new Lulu Island Renewable Natural Gas Facility by clicking here.
