SP0270: Heating System for Season Extension Greenhouse

This project would complete the original SP0249 project vision that was put in place in 2020. The original Big Wave request included a heating system for the greenhouse , which was ultimately removed from the application due to the timeline, sourcing problems with bio mass furnaces abilities to meet city of Montreal particulate emmission targets, and factors beyond our control (ie. Covid).

In order to use the greenhouses for food and plant production out of season, a heating system is essential. Once installed, the greenhouse will be usable for food production in fall and early spring. All food produced will be used by the "McGill feeding McGill" initiative. We are also proposing to install a heating system in one of our smaller greenhouses that we use exclusively to produce the transplants that we grow for our field production (also for McGill feeding McGill). Presently the heating system in that greenhouse is inadequate to produce quality transplants (rundown and requires major upgrading to be functionnal), installation of a new heating system would ensure present transplant production and also allow for any expansion in upcoming years. We have done extensive research on various heating systems for our greenhouses and the major problem with the carbon neutral heating systems (Geothermal and Electric) is that the Hort Center presently does not have enough available hydro electric capacity to operate these systems. We have had many discussions with Facilities management at Mac and a request for more power at the Hort Center has been put in place but will take many years to complete. Please see the attached letter from Dr. Mark Lefsrud for a detailed explanation of other renewable energy heating options and our reasons for selecting propane furnaces.

For the above reasons we are proposing to install two propane heating systems (with CO2 capture and storage technology) which would ensure that the greenhouses are fully functional in a cost effective manner for years to
come.

SP0249 and this project address issues of food security in a changing climate, reduction of environmental impacts of food production as well as the education of students, staff and the general public.