17 Articles found
Canadian Bioeconomy Conference Articles
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Only 1 week left to save $100 on Canada’s largest Bioeconomy Conference
Early bird registrationends May 11. So why wait? Why pay $595 when you can pay $495? Think about it: what could you do with an extra $100? Here are just some of the exciting business, information sharing and networking opportunities that await at ...
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Overview of biomass and bioenergy sources in northern B.C.
Ibrahim Karidio identified four groups of biomass sources: cellulosic materials from wood residues, agricultural crops, animal wastes, and municipal and industrial solid wastes. “B.C. has a huge land mass,” Karidio said. Of the total provincial ...
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Power procurement and the bioenergy call
Martin Kincade said the purpose of BC Hydro, a government-owned company, is “to provide reliable power, at low cost, for generations.” Ninety percent of the power produced and consumed in B.C. is renewable, and energy rates in B.C. are among the ...
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Large-scale biohydrogen production in western Canada
Amit Kumar, together with his colleague Susanjib Sarkar, a graduate student in the University of Alberta’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, has studied energy production in the oil sands. “When you produce bitumen, you need to upgrade it with ...
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A Canadian perspective on the future of biofuels and bioenergy
Concerns about grain-based biofuels include their “impact on food prices and availability,” said David B. Layzell, and that their capacity to contribute to liquid fuels is inadequate. He said there are three main drivers for bioenergy: the rural ...
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Environmental aspects and bioenergy projects
Nelson Lee emphasized the “need to involve an environmental professional” early and throughout the project cycle. “Otherwise you can get blindsided with what you don’t know.” He reviewed five project cycle stages. The concept stage involves ...
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International context and lessons for B.C.
Paul McFarlane presented a paper co-authored by W.E. Mabee and J.N. Saddler. The International Energy Agency (IEA) was founded in 1974 in response to energy concerns. IEA is a forum for energy cooperation among 26 member countries within the ...
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Safety in handling wood pellets
Canada is primarily a bulk producer and exporter of pellets with large mills that make, on average, 56,000 tonnes per year, said Staffan Melin. When shipped in large volumes, pellets are classified as hazardous material, although wood pellets in ...
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Biomass power generation in China
“China is an agricultural country,” said Frank Miao. Farmers used to burn harvest waste, and the government decided to capture this energy by constructing a biomass power plant. At the end of 2006, the total biomass power generation capacity in ...
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Production and market Trends: An EU perspective
Christian Rakos described the European pellet market as being in its infancy, with a limited number of countries participating in three types of business: power, heat, and mixed goods. The market is characterized by dynamic growth, for example, in ...
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Bioenergy and the convergence of the markets for fuel, food, and fibre
Don Roberts said four key variables are driving the economics of biofuel production: the price of fossil fuels, the cost of the feedstock, the “plethora” of conversion technology, and regulations, which stimulate demand. These variables are in flux, ...
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Small-scale heat and power at B.C. mills
Fred Scott introduced the B.C. Bioenergy Network (BCBN) as an alliance between Pristine and Nexterra Energy Corp. BCBN is a network of 15–20 individuals, with 10 MW power plants located across B.C. at mill operations in forest communities. Nexterra ...
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An irish wood pellet experience
Richard Smith said he would share his experiences over the last two-and-a-half years. “What we’ve done isn’t necessarily right for here,” he said, “but it worked for us.” Balcas has a number of facilities all over Europe, including a sawmill in ...
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Wood pellet research program and summary results
BBRG’s vision is to create a comprehensive design package for pelleting technology, said Shahab Sokhansanj. “It will contain engineering data and procedures for procuring biomass, [and for] producing and delivering pellets as a choice feedstock to ...
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Biofuel production in a kraft pulp and paper Mill: Evaluation of the potential and profitability
“Our team popped up” to address the main goal of greenhouse gas reduction through the production of biodiesel at kraft pulp and paper mills (KPPM), said Merja Strengell. Strengell summarized future challenges for integrated biorefineries and ...
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Bioenergy in B.C.
Garth Thoroughgood said the 2007 Throne Speech provided a strong mandate for greenhouse gas reduction that was reiterated in the 2008 Throne Speech. The 2007 Energy Plan announced a $25 million Innovative Clean Energy Fund and included the ...
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A brief history of the New England wood pellet
Steve Walker started his company in 1992. New England Wood Pellet has grown from a single, “little tiny mill” to a 100,000-tonne plant; a research, development, and fabrication facility called Biofuel Energy Systems; and Palmer Reload and Packaging ...