NLC's Centre for Clean Energy Technologies opened in 2011
Construction on Energy House, which is located at the Dawson Creek Campus, began in November 2009, and was completed in April 2011.
The facility was in use for regular programming for students in September 2011, and the official opening was held in October 2011, with Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Premier Christy Clark in attendance.
In 2013, Energy House achieved LEED® Platinum certification by the Canada Green Building Council. Some of the notable features of Energy House, and its construction process, that contributed to the LEED Platinum certification include:
- Half of the site area was restored with native or adaptive vegetation, and does not require irrigation
- Automatic controls have been installed for non‐emergency interior lighting
- Wastewater generated by the building has been reduced by 92 per cent
- No CFCs or HCFCs were used in the building
- Recyclables are collected and stored
- 91 per cent of construction waste was diverted from landfill
- 12.5 per cent of materials were manufactured and extracted regionally
- A permanent carbon dioxide monitoring system has been installed in the building
- Low-emitting materials were used in the construction process including adhesives and sealants, composite wood and laminate adhesives, and carpets
- All regularly occupied areas are day-lit
NLC offers a Wind Turbine Maintenance Technician program taught in Energy House. Students learn the theory supporting wind turbines and the practical maintenance procedures required to maintain turbine output.
Upon completion of the program, students are prepared to enter the field as wind turbine maintenance technicians, or to progress to higher levels of certification in the industry.
Bob Haugen, former Clean Energy Coordinator at Northern Lights College, speaks about the Energy House