FortisBC Energy Inc. is exploring novel technologies and methods for mercaptan monitoring to detect natural gas leakage in industrial, field, and household settings. Since commercial mercaptan detectors are bulky and expensive, there is a need for low-cost and miniaturized mercaptan detectors. The proposed project will lead to the development of a handheld mercaptan detector which […]

Detection of natural gas diversion in residential pipelines is important for public safety. To maintain utilities companies’ reputation and customer satisfaction, such diversion must be detected in a nonintrusive manner, without digging or using endoscope cameras. Thus, it is important to develop techniques for residential gas pipeline diagnosis using an external small device that can […]

The Paris Agreement, which was signed in December 2015 and went into effect in November 2016, outlines a framework for a new market mechanism that could to incentivize countries to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions: internationally transferred mitigation outcomes (ITMOs). ITMOs enable countries to transfer emissions reduction credits between countries to efficiently find those […]

This project investigates substitution of fossil fuels with electricity from renewable sources for the purpose of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in British Columbia. Burning natural gas, gasoline, diesel and other petroleum products heats our buildings, drives out cars, and powers our industries. Electricity generated from hydro, wind, and solar power can provide those same services, […]

The Paris Agreement, which was signed in December 2015 and went into effect in November 2016, outlines a framework for a new market mechanism that could incentivize countries to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions: internationally transferred mitigation outcomes (ITMOs). ITMOs enable countries to transfer emissions reduction credits between countries to efficiently find those areas […]

The proposed study will focus on extending the Wilden Living Lab (WLL) Research Program by constructing a net-zero house (as the third house of the program) with new material combinations and construction practice. A post occupancy evaluation will be conducted to identify cost-effective material selection tools for building energy-efficient detached homes. Accordingly, a net-zero house […]

The purpose of the research project is to identify the main soil types found within the FortisBC Electric service territory and identify the best alternatives for power pole installations within each soil type. This information will be made readily available to power line designers for use when selecting the foundation alternative during the design process. […]

The dewatering systems in the FortisBC hydropower generation facilities need long-term rehabilitation solutions. The purpose of this project is to develop a risk assessment model for the dewatering systems of hydropower generation facilities, and to identify the best long-term rehabilitation solutions for such facilities. Recommendation on long-term maintenance and rehabilitation will be provided on the […]

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) has up to 20% CO2 and 90% NOx fewer emissions than diesel; making it a cleaner alternative fuel for mobile applications. LNG has high volumetric energy density and is cost effective ($0.5 cheaper than diesel gallon equivalent). However, LNG is stored at low temperatures (-162ºC) and releases boil-off gas that contributes […]

The main mission of FortisBC is delivering energy (in the form of electricity and natural gas) safely and reliably at the lowest reasonable cost with lowest emissions. Any maloperations or unexpected interruptions in equipment of the energy supply network may lead to unreliable and unsafe conditions of power delivering to the consumers. For this purpose, […]

Exploring the best smart energy choices to meet the growing energy needs of British Columbia (BC) is important due to Canada’s new climate change mitigation targets as well as the rising economic burdens of energy use. A collaborative study has been proposed between UBCO and FortisBC identify smart solutions energy conservation, climate change mitigation, demand […]

Traditional design method for the foundation of the transmission poles simply assigns a standard set of depths based on the length and diameter of poles. Although, this method has proven to be conservative and reliable, but it does not incorporate site-specific soil properties, water table, and weather conditions in its calculations. As a result, a […]