SaskEnergy and the Regina Airport Authority (RAA) are piloting the use of new technology in Saskatchewan that could reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the main heating system at the Regina International Airport (YQR) by about 20 per cent, helping the RAA to achieve its environmental goals.
A CarbinX small-scale carbon-capture device, manufactured by Calgary-based CleanO2, has been installed in the mechanical room of YQR’s Air Terminal Building. About $40,000 in SaskEnergy funding covered the cost and delivery of the unit and will also pay for independent measurement and verification to validate the equipment’s operation. The RAA contributed about $11,000 to have the unit installed.
“SaskEnergy has a long history of working with its commercial and residential customers across the province to help them reduce emissions and save money on their heating bills,” Minister Responsible for SaskEnergy Don Morgan said. “Pilot projects like this small-scale carbon capture installation at the Regina International Airport—a first for Saskatchewan—demonstrate how new technology can contribute to a lower-carbon future.”
The CarbinX device is capturing a portion of the carbon dioxide emissions from the Air Terminal Building’s boiler heating system, converting it into non-toxic pearl ash (potassium carbonate). The pearl ash will be used to make carbon-capture soap and other cleaning products where it will be permanently sequestered.
“We’re proud that our airport terminal building is the first building in the province to have this cutting-edge technology,” RAA President and CEO James Bogusz said. “We’re committed to minimizing the environmental footprint of our airport operations, and we commend SaskEnergy for helping us to make this exciting project a reality.”
The carbon-capture reaction of the CarbinX device releases heat which is also captured and used to preheat water in the airport’s heating equipment—further reducing emissions through reduced natural gas usage and saving the RAA money on its monthly heating bill.
In recognition of its investment in this project, SaskEnergy will receive annual deliveries of the carbon soap, which will be given out at tradeshows and donated to community organizations across the province.
“This project demonstrates SaskEnergy’s commitment to supporting our customers to achieve their environmental goals and reduce emissions,” SaskEnergy’s Acting President and CEO Mark Guillet said. “Moving forward, we will continue to look for innovative, effective ways to help our customers reduce their environmental footprint.”
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SaskEnergy delivers safe, reliable, and affordable natural gas to homes, businesses, and industry throughout Saskatchewan. SaskEnergy provides critical energy for a greener Saskatchewan and is committed to reducing emissions from operations by 35 per cent by 2030, compared to 2019 levels.