Toronto Hydro Helps Iconic Soup Maker Develop an Onsite CHP Plant

Toronto Hydro and Campbell Company of Canada have unveiled a hot new power project at the Campbell Canada Toronto location. Capable of producing enough energy to power the facility, the combined heat and power (CHP) project came together as a result of Campbell Canada’s push towards energy efficiency and sustainability, and was made a reality when Toronto Hydro helped arrange $5 million in incentive funding — about 40% of the total project costs — through the provincial saveONenergy program.

CHP technology uses a natural gas fueled engine to generate electricity and produce heat. The CHP plant consists of a 4.6MW combustion gas turbine generator and a heat recovery steam generator that produces 90,000 lb/hr of steam. The heat produced from the engine generates steam, which Campbell Canada uses to cook soup. The CHP plant now supplies up to 93% of the company’s annual steam requirements. The power is used entirely within the Campbell Canada facility, displacing electricity which was previously supplied from the electricity grid.

In 2010, Campbell Canada set an aggressive goal to cut its environmental footprint in half by 2020, and the company is well on track thanks to projects like the CHP plant. This project allows Campbell Canada to save on electricity costs, has environmental benefits and provides reliable emergency back-up power, ensuring soup production is never affected.

Toronto Hydro supports CHP as it helps reduce demand on the electricity system at a time when the city is growing at an unprecedented rate. Campbell Canada has also embarked on other significant energy-efficiency projects, including a $100,000 compressed air upgrade, a major LED lighting retrofit, the introduction of sensors, and more.

CHP requirements

Customers who might find CHP to be an attractive capital investment opportunity all share the following characteristics: they

• draw power from the electricity grid of at least 500 kW each month

• have a year-round need for hot water or steam

• operate their facility for at least 6,000 hours a year

CHP is applicable to the manufacturing, commercial, and institutional business sectors.