FORT ST. JOHN, B.C.—Officials in B.C. have announced that the CleanBC Building Innovation (CBBI) Fund will help finance 21 state-of-the-art projects that demonstrate innovative low-carbon, energy-efficient building practices and technologies.
The CBBI fund provides financial support for building projects and programs that accelerate the availability and affordability of low-carbon building solutions. Projects the fund supports utilize advanced building designs like Passive Houses, new construction methods, like the use of low-embodied-carbon mass timber and ultra-efficient building components like heat and energy recovery ventilators.
The fund’s second round received $8 million from the province to support the projects.
“These projects are great examples of how homegrown innovation and technology are putting us on the path to a cleaner, better future,” said Bruce Ralston, minister of energy, in a statement. “Through the Building Innovation Fund, we are investing in projects that showcase British Columbian expertise, reduce pollution, increase energy efficiency and stimulate local economies. By using clean energy more efficiently in our buildings, we’re helping people reduce energy costs, mitigate climate impacts and improve air quality.”
The 21 projects include three being constructed in rural, north-central B.C.
Zirnhelt Timber Frames in 150 Mile House will get a $350,000 boost from the fund to expand a prefabrication facility with two new production lines. This will help the company produce larger amounts of energy-efficient floor and roof panel that are used in low-embodied-carbon modular timber buildings.
The City of Fort St. John is receiving $100,000 to construct a net-zero RCMP detachment building. Its design includes a ground-source heat pump and locally sourced mass timber structural components.
FPInnovations, in partnership with a local First Nation, is receiving $450,000 to purchase a 3D printer to test and certify 3D printed houses made from low-embodied-carbon residual fibre.
All projects receiving funding fall into one of four categories:
– The material, component and system manufacturing stream supports investment in manufacturing facilities to diversify and expand existing product lines or commercialize new product lines.
– The digital technology solutions stream supports technology development for new or improved digital solutions.
– The demonstration projects stream helps to offset the incremental capital or operational costs of projects that demonstrate unique technologies or applications relative to industry standards.
– The open call for innovations stream supports other types of activities not covered by the other funding streams, such as product development, testing and certification.
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