Chief Operating Engineer Doug Wilkinson shuts down the CHP for the last time. Photo MCpl Brandon Liddy/3Div Imaging.
Jules Xavier
Shilo Stag
CFB Shilo recognized the end of an era Sept. 1 as the Central Heating Plant (CHP) which has supplied steam heating to a number of buildings on the Base since 1952, was shutdown permanently.
This project is part of a larger Energy Performance Contract occurring at CFB Shilo, administered by Public Services and Procurement Canada and delivered by MCW Custom Energy Solutions Ltd.
The project’s aim is to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through upgrades to and investment in lighting, heating and ventilating systems, utility metering and building management control systems.
The decommissioning of the CHP and installation of new satellite heating plants in 14 buildings on Base, is the cornerstone of the EPC project and was targeted to reduce annual GHG reductions by close to 1,000 tonnes of equivalent carbon dioxide yearly, which represents a 16 per cent reduction during the 2015 reference baseline period.
CFB Shilo’s CHP has been in operation since 1952 — delivering heat by means of high pressure steam, to the majority of the buildings located near the center of the Base.
The CHP was constructed during the Cold War period to house two oil-fired boilers, and an addition in 1958 provided space for a third boiler and extended the steam service on Base to serve new schools and a gymnasium. In the late 1950s, boilers were converted to run on natural gas.
For the last seven decades, the operating engineers have kept this plant operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
During the CHP shutdown event, acknowledgement was given to the last of a long line of operating engineers who have kept this plant running and have professionally dealt with the various crisis which have occurred during the preceding years.
Although the full benefit resulting from the CHP shutdown will not be seen until this fall, when the plant is fully decommissioned, the energy and GHG reductions have already begun.
As new efficient satellite boiler heating plants became operational through the last fiscal year, CFB Shilo has seen GHG reductions of nearly 1,500 tonnes equivalent CO2, a 22 per cent reduction over the baseline period.
And when the EPC project is fully complete in spring 2023, the impact this project will have on CFB Shilo’s climate change targets will be another proud achievement for RPOU(W) Det Shilo and ADM(IE) in support of DND’s Defence Energy and Environment Strategy and Canada’s Defence Policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged.
From the Shilo Stag archives, a ceremony marking the working being done on the Base’s new steam plant.