This Nova Scotia town is researching a heating system fuelled by biomass

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The Nova Scotia government is spending $184,000 on research into a district heating system fuelled by biomass in New Glasgow.

The proposed project, which would be community-owned, would create heat in a central plant and then distribute to buildings with insulated underground pipes, eliminating the need for individual furnaces, boilers or heat pumps.

“The town is very excited to be involved in the development of a community-wide district heating system and connected biomass heat and power plant project,” said Earl MacKenzie, director of engineering and public works with the Town of New Glasgow, in a news release from the province.

“This energy initiative has the potential to dramatically transform how our community heats its homes, businesses and public buildings while supporting economic development and environmental sustainability.”

According to the Heat New Glasgow website, bioheat systems use renewable biomass in the form of wood chips or wood pellets, potentially reducing CO2 emissions by more than 90 per cent.

“Clean district heating systems are a proven, practical step toward decarbonizing our communities and reducing emissions while putting people at the centre of their energy future,” said Minister of Environment and Climate Change Timothy Halman. “New Glasgow’s vision has the potential to reduce and stabilize energy costs for residents, strengthen local economic activity and improve energy security and resilience.”

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