Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Academy

Community Bioenergy Systems Training

For many remote communities in Canada, using bioenergy systems rather than diesel generation can help reduce greenhouse gas emission and increase energy security. The motivation behind building this training program stems from the desire of communities to move away from fossil fuel consumption, increase wood fibre utilization in remote locations, provide jobs in the community, and improve the local economy.

What is Community Bioenergy Systems training?

This hands-on training provides participants with knowledge of forestry processes, wood supply chains, and energy principles. This course provides knowledge on how to establish a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant and other bioenergy systems in remote communities.

Who offers the training?

The University of British Columbia

The Alex Fraser Research Forest is part of the Faculty of Forestry at the University of British Columbia. The Faculty of Forestry is globally-recognized for its award-winning education programs, research and initiatives.

FPInnovations

FPInnovations is a private not-forprofit organization that specializes in the creation of solutions in support of the Canadian forest sector’s global competitiveness.

We acknowledge the support of Natural Resources Canada.

Alex Fraser Research Forest Office

What will you learn?

Participants learn how to operate a biomass Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant, how to do the maintenance, and how to carry out general forestry operations and supply chain management with real equipment. Participants have the opportunity to learn about a range of bioenergy systems.

We are committed to making this course practical and relevant to participants. Participants learn how to assess the feasibility of a bioenergy system for their own community. The course also covers forest management including wildfire risk reduction and biomass supply and quality.

Where does the training take place?

The in-person training takes place at the University of British Columbia’s Alex Fraser Research Forest in Williams Lake, British Columbia. The onsite biomass Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant, chipper and other equipment provide students with hands-on experience.

Who should participate?

This training is designed for people from remote Indigenous communities, but non-Indigenous people are also welcome to participate. This course is for you if your community falls within one of these criteria:

  • Is not connected to the provincial / territorial electrical grid
  • Is powered by a diesel power-generating system
  • May be interested in installing a combined heat and power (CHP) system

How much does it cost?

For participants from Indigenous communities:

  • Tuition fee waived
  • Accommodations and meals on site in Williams Lake at no cost (4 nights)
  • Travel subsidies are available to help cover travel cost to Williams Lake, BC. Subsidy depends on registration numbers and provenance of participant, to cover costs to and from Alex Fraser Research Forest (Williams Lake, BC) for in-person training.

For non-Indigenous participants:

We acknowledge the support of Natural Resources Canada.

How to participate?

Choose the weeks that suits you best and fill out the expression of interest form on this page below.

Community Bioenergy Systems – Expression of Interest

Please submit the following form to express your interest in attending the training at the Alex Fraser Research Forest.
The training is held on-site at the Alex Fraser Research Forest in Williams Lake, British Columbia.

Participant Name(Required)
A confirmation e-mail will be sent to this address after submitting the form.
Do you identify as Indigenous?
Which course dates are you interested in?(Required)

Thanks for your interest! The CHP Academy team will review the information submitted and will follow-up with you.

We acknowledge the support of Natural Resources Canada.