The Feasibility of an on-campus biogas operation at the University of Waterloo

Currently only 1% of Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG) is generated by green electricity. In order to phase out nuclear power, we feel that creating an Organics Processing Facility to create biogas will be more cost effective, cut down on landfill waste, generate a high-quality renewable fuel, and reduce carbon dioxide and methane emissions. It is our intent to implement an Organics Processing Facility on the north campus of the University of Waterloo. By addressing the needs for alternative power generation, the biogas operation would reduce emissions of methane and carbon dioxide, and would thereby meet the goals of the Kyoto protocol. By implementing this proposal, the university would be saving money in the long-term, cutting down on campus waste, and setting a president for other universities to follow suit. Furthermore, it creates learning opportunities for various facilities such as: ES, Engineering, Business, and Biology to name a few. In order to evaluate the feasibility of creating a biogas operation on campus, we looked at the economics, funding, and conducted various interviews to surround food markets and restaurants. We also interviewed a number of local farmers to ask if they would be interested in the Biogas benefits through receiving fertilizer for their fields. Overall, by creating a biogas operation on campus, it is a beneficial situation for all stakeholders… For full text, please e-mail sustainability@uwaterloo.ca