BC Bioenergy Network Awards Almost $5 million in Funding to Two Biomass Pilot Projects
Monday, February 9, 2009
Website
|
News Archive
Vancouver, BC, February 9, 2009--(T-Net)--The $25-million provincially funded BC Bioenergy Network is awarding almost $5 million in funding to two biomass pilot projects. “These pilot projects will help to further strengthen British Columbia’s environmental leadership,
long-term competitiveness and electricity self-sufficiency,” said Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Minister Blair Lekstrom. “By converting wood waste into clean energy, these projects will help ensure that we meet our province’s future energy demands while at the same time supporting economic growth and job creation.”
The BC Bioenergy Network has awarded $1.82 million in funding to Lignol Innovations Ltd. and a further $3 million in funding to Nexterra Energy Corp. Lignol uses biorefining technology to turn wood waste into fuel-grade bioethanol and biochemicals. Nexterra develops systems that turn wood waste into clean, renewable heat and power using biomass gasification technology.
“BC Bioenergy Network invests in technologies that can become building blocks of a robust clean bioenergy sector here in British Columbia,” said Michael Weedon, executive director of the BC Bioenergy Network. “As we enter these uncertain economic times, it becomes crucial that we support smart, innovative and economically tested technologies that can help expand the industry in British Columbia. The BC Bioenergy Network is a leading partner in the commercialization of these technologies and the opportunities they will bring to the province.”
The BC Bioenergy Network was established in April 2008 through a $25-million provincial grant. It is an industry-led association that is encouraging the development of world-class bioenergy research and technology, pilot and demonstration projects with industry and communities in key biomass resource areas. The BC Bioenergy Network has identified the following technology areas for funding support: solid wood residues, pulp and paper residues, harvesting and pelleting, agriculture residues, municipal wastewater, municipal landfill waste, municipal solid waste and community heating electricity greenhouse systems.
“Lignol is very pleased to receive this funding from the BC Bioenergy Network,” said Ross MacLachlan, president and CEO of Lignol. “We have invested significantly in British Columbia, culminating in an overall investment in the region of some $20 million and a workforce of 37 highly skilled and dedicated employees at our world-class Biorefinery Technology Centre located on the BCIT campus. The support from the BC Bioenergy Network will play a crucial role in our current expansion and continued success.”
BC leads the country in energy production from biomass. Over 800 megawatts of biomass electricity capacity is installed in the province, enough to power 640,000 households. Pulp and paper mills meet over a third of their electricity needs through cogeneration of electricity and steam on site. In 2008, the BC wood pellet industry produced around one million tonnes of wood pellets, of which 90 per cent was exported for thermal power production overseas.
“Nexterra is grateful for the continued support from the BC government and for its commitment to making British Columbia a world leader in bioenergy innovation,” said Jonathan Rhone, president and CEO of Nexterra. “We look forward to helping the Province achieve its goals for affordable and renewable energy generation using locally supplied biomass. The support from the BC Bioenergy Network will play a crucial role as we launch a new generation biomass power system for businesses, municipalities and public institutions throughout the province.”
This funding follows the recent memorandum of understanding between the BC Bioenergy Network and Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) announced on Jan. 29, 2009. SDTC is an arm’s-length, not-for-profit corporation created by the Government of Canada, which operates two funds aimed at the development and demonstration of innovative clean technology solutions. Under the terms of the agreement, the BC Bioenergy Network and SDTC have agreed to work in partnership to identify high-calibre projects within the B.C. bioenergy sector with the goal of increasing the number of investment opportunities. SDTC is currently supporting projects led by Lignol and Nexterra.
For more information on the BC Bioenergy Network, go to www.bcbioenergy.ca.
Encouraging the emerging bioenergy industry and developing new and innovative uses for beetle-wood is part of the BC Bioenergy Plan (www.energyplan.gov.bc.ca/bioenergy) and the provincial Mountain Pine Beetle Action Plan (www.gov.bc.ca/pinebeetle).
Contact:
Michael Weedon, Executive Director
BC Bioenergy Network
604-891-1257 or 604-805-2115
Michael.Weedon@bcbioenergy.ca
www.bcbioenergy.ca
Ian Baillie, Public Relations
NextPhase Strategy
604-761-5540
ibaillie@nextphasestrategy.com
www.nextphasestrategy.com
Paul Hughes
Vice President Corporate Development
& Communications
Lignol Energy Corporation
604-222-9800 ext. 110
phughes@lignol.ca
info@lignol.ca
Raymond McAllister
Nexterra Energy Corp.
604-637-2507
rmcallister@nexterra.ca
www.nexterra.ca
Patrice Breton, Director, Communications
SDTC
Tel: 613-234-6313 ext. 295
p.breton@sdtc.ca
www.sdtc.ca