Case Study: Oujé-Bougoumou System

Oujé-Bougoumou is a Cree Nation community of 650 people, located in the James Bay area of Quebec, Canada. Following land claims settlements in 1989 and 1992, the community decided to relocate and construct a wood-fired district heating system using sawmills waste. The system became operational in 1992 with a KMW 1 megawatt biomass boiler and a one megawatt oil boiler. In 1998 a KMW 1.7 megawatt biomass boiler and a 1.5 megawatt boiler were added the system. By 2000 the system heated 140 housing units and 20 public buildings. The peak winter load in 2000 was 2.4 megawatts. The low-cost energy provided by the Oujé-Bougoumou District Heating System combined with energy-efficient building designs have resulted in a surplus in the housing fund, which is used to build additional houses. In 1995, the United Nations Association awarded the community with the Global Citizen Award in recognition of the community’s efforts to develop an environmental and people friendly community.

Source: KMW Systems

System specs

  • Each heated building has two separate heat exchangers. One for heating and the other for hot water.
  • KMW 1 megawatt biomass boiler
  • 1 megawatt oil boiler
  • KMW 1.7 megawatt biomass boiler (added in 1998)
  • 1.5 megawatt oil boiler (added in 1998)
  • Approximately 7.5 miles of piping
  • Below ground fuel bin
  • Hydraulic auger feeding system
  • Reciprocating step-grate
  • Automatic ash remover

System Cost

Installation costs (1992 construction): $1.74 million
Installation costs (1998 construction): $526,267
Annual fuel cost: $18,000

Additional Information

http://www.canren.gc.ca/renew_ene/index.asp?CaId=47&PgId=975
http://www.kmwenergy.com/solutions/case-studies/3

Also see: