Humber Polytechnic’s SWITCH project is one of the key initiatives of an ambitious Integrated Energy Master Plan developed to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
SWITCH’s main focus is the re-engineering of Humber’s largest natural gas consumer: the North Campus steam system. This will be replaced by a hot water network powered mainly by electricity. In addition to refurbishing the steam plant, the project will involve adding 4.5 km of piping to connect as many buildings as possible to the new centralized network. The project will make energy production and distribution more efficient. The unification of heating and cooling networks will enable heat recovery, further reducing dependence on natural gas, GHG emissions, and the costs associated with heating and cooling.
In addition to the many environmental outcomes provided by the project, Humber Polytechnic will benefit from recurring operating cost savings that will be used, among other things, to fund new sustainability initiatives. The SWITCH project also includes a living laboratory component in which students participate in the development of innovative decarbonization measures.
(Photo credit: Humber Polytechnic)
New central plant with electric and gas boilers and heat recovery chillers
Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)
District energy system connecting islanded buildings
STHW building conversion
Interior heat recovery
Electric steam and humidification
Energy recovery wheels
Peak shaving
