Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 2

The College of New Caledonia and Purden Lake and Ski Resorts are extending their partnership to research thedevelopment of a biomass gasifier for operating a 40 kW capacity power generator. This will utilize on-sitebiomass and therefore, offset high costs associated with diesel fuel consumption for electricity generation whilereducing greenhouse gas emissions. The project will provide important marketing and social benefits.This applied research study will bring innovative solutions to several technical and economic issues related togasification systems and applications: (i) a low-cost gasifier in conjunction with a dual filtering system for easyoperation and maintenance, (ii) enhancing combustion and engine efficiency through syngas conditioning and(iii) completing the economic feasibility study with an environmental life cycle assessment and carbonfootprint analysis. This project is a unique opportunity for CNC to enhance its applied research capability in thefield of renewable energy with focus on biomass substitution for fossil fuels used for heat and electricitygeneration.Students and Faculty will be directly involved in designing, developing and implementing the system. Severalenhanced technical skills are expected as learning outcomes from student participation in this project: (i)designing gasification systems for electricity generation, (ii) assessing biomass resource quality through testingits physicochemical attributes, (iii) evaluating economic feasibility of gasification systems in remotecommunities, (iv) conducting a life cycle assessment for determining environmental impacts associated tosubstituting diesel with syngas for electricity generation.