University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) is once again being honoured for its progressive form of energy production.
The university is a finalist in the EcoLiving Innovators Award recognizing excellence in energy efficiency.
The campus's bioenergy plant, which uses bark and sawdust from a local sawmill to provide heat, was named one of three finalists in the innovators category of the Scotiabank EcoLiving Awards.
Utilizing equipment from B.C.-based Nexterra Systems Corp. to "gasify" the wood waste, the plant has been touted as a showcase of green energy and environmentally-friendly technology.
It's estimated the project, which cost $15 million to build, will reduce UNBC's natural gas use by 85 per cent and reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by 3,400 tonnes.
The Scotiabank EcoLiving Awards consist of three components and award a total of $75,000.
Finalists in the EcoLiving Innovators Award are vying for the $15,000 for the business or individual demonstrating innovation in home energy efficient products, services and solutions.
The other finalists in the category are EcoPlusHome of Bathurst, New Brunswick, whose prefabricated family homes put "zero demand on the power grid," and Tiocoat of Woodbridge, Ontario, whose reflective roof coating "keeps buildings cool in summer, slash electricity costs and extend a roof's life," according to a press release.
An independent judging panel selected the finalists from over 65 comprehensive entries.
The program is in partnership with Green Living Enterprises, an environmental marketing firm.
"The calibre of the entries is proof-positive that Canadians are committed to finding solutions to greening the planet with energy-saving innovations as a cornerstone of success," says Laurie Simmonds, CEO and President, Green Living Enterprises.
"Scotiabank is taking a leadership role by recognizing businesses, innovators and students implementing and developing energy-saving ideas."
The awards also rewards businesses for leadership in environmental progress, home energy efficiency products, services or solutions.
Finalists for the Scotiabank EcoLiving Business Leadership Award, worth $50,000
Finalists for that award are:
BUILD of Winnipeg, Manitoba for its pioneering efforts to retrofit low-income homes with energy saving materials and devices.
Ecobee of Toronto, Ontario for its development of a wireless enabled Smart Thermostat that can save homeowners up to 20 percent on their heating and cooling costs.
Tridel Corporation of (Toronto, Ontario) for its leadership in allowing its condominium owners to control their energy use.
And the third component of the celebration is the Scotiabank EcoLiving Student Leadership Award worth $10,000, recognizing a full-time college or university student who demonstrates promise for the future of home energy conservation.
Finalists for this award are:
Eden Full of Calgary, Alberta, a mechanical engineering student at Princeton University, who invented the SunSaluter, a $10 tracking rotation system that maximizes the output of solar panels so that 40 percent fewer panels are required.
Patrick Leslie of Kingston, Ontario, a student at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, who developed a smart phone application that obtains information about home owner appliances and identifies the most cost-effective ways to cut energy consumption.
Students at the University of Calgary who created Team Canada's entry in an international student competition for building energy efficient solar-powered homes that are both mold-and fireproof.
The winners will be announced at a gala ceremony at the Art Gallery of Ontario on June 2 during Canadian Environmental Week.
