What s Happening Up North? An Overview of Northern Ontario Biomass Projects. Francis Gallo Community Seminar Liaison Biomass Innovation Centre

Transcription

1 What s Happening Up North? An Overview of Northern Ontario Biomass Projects Francis Gallo Community Seminar Liaison Biomass Innovation Centre

2 Biomass Innovation Centre Who we are: Established by Nipissing University in 2009 Mandate: to support a robust bioeconomy in Northern Ontario educate develop implement

3 Biomass Innovation Centre We work with organizations/individuals to: Identify biomass supply opportunities in the forestry and agricultural sectors Support projects that transform biomass into fuels and high-value products Develop market capacity and demand for bio-fuels and bio-refinery products Our Services Include: Education, technical marketing, advocacy, research, strategy sessions, workshops, outreach, information sessions, AND MORE

4 Biomass Innovation Centre Our Team: Dawn Lambe - Project Manager Jeff Borisko - Curriculum Implementation Liaison Francis Gallo - Community Seminar Liaison ilead students during the fall/winter semester

5 Biomass Biological material derived from living or recently living organisms Forestry Crops & Residues Agri Crops & Residues Organic matter renewable over time (human lifespan) Algae Industrial Wastes Municipal Solid Waste Sewage Animal Residues

6 Bioproducts Biofuels and Bioenergy Pellets, briquettes, biodiesel, ethanol Renewable heat and electricity Biocomposites Biofoam, biorubber, biofiber mats Cross-laminated timber, construction panels Biochemicals Nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals Resins, paints, lubricants, solvent

7 Bioeconomy An economy founded on biomass instead of fossil fuels where the basic building blocks for materials, chemicals and energy are derived from renewable biological resources, such as plant and animal sources McCormick, Kes and Kautto, Niina, The Bioeconomy in Europe: An Overview, Journal of Sustainability, 2013

8 Sustainability Creates healthy communities and safe workplaces Carbon neutral Renews within a human lifetime Respects property rights & traditional land use Spurs local economic development Values aesthetics Protects biodiversity Values environmental services Makes $ for the long term

9 Northern Ontario Biomass Projects QUESTION: What does northern Ontario s bioeconomy and the Staal brothers have in common???

10 Thunder Bay OPG BioEnergy Learning and Research Centre (BLRC) Two 500 kw Boilers, fuel handing, and heating systems 150 kw biomass boiler Emission testing capabilities Laboratory/testing space On-line instrumentation Learning & training space

11 Thunder Bay Community Sustainability Initiative Proposing to develop, construct and operate: Biomass fueled CHP plant Wood pellet facility Displace diesel generators Boost local bio-economy

12 Wood Pellets Converting two decommissioned facilities in Northern Ontario to produce wood pellets Atikokan mill 100,000 tonnes annually 10-year 45,000 tonnes/year contract with OPG Atikokan GS Wawa mill 450,000 tonnes annually 10-year 400,000 tonnes/year contract with Drax Power Limited Exclusive priority access to Port of Quebec and wood pellet storage Long term contract with CN for rail cars

13 Wood Pellets KD Quality Pellets Phase 1 45,000 tonne capacity Phase 2 200,000 tonne (nearing completion) Industries Lacwood 7,000 tonnes/year capacity Resolute Forest Products 150,000 tonnes/year capacity Other proposed: Whitesand First Nation Sand Point First Nation

14 Power Generation OPG Atikokan Generating Station 100% biomass-fired power plant Installed capacity of over 200MW For peak demand and back-up Rentech providing 45,000 tonnes/year of pellets Resolute Forest Products - providing 45,000 tonnes/year of pellets OPG Thunder Bay Generating Station To be converted to burn advanced biomass OPG seeking suppliers

15 Research and Innovation Support for Northern Ontario Bioeconomy Initiatives Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) Funding from National Research Council (NRC) To create the foundation for biomass-related project development in Northern Ontario Provide consulting and research services to position for expansion and/or realignment in the bioeconomy

16 Research and Innovation Sturgeon Falls Brush & Contracting Limited High level assessment of developing a Demonstration and Research Park for emerging pilot technologies in the bioindustrial sector Focus on utilizing regional biomass as feedstock NEXT STEPS: detailed logistics and equipment analysis, seek funding, find project partners, early recruitment, early promotion

17 Research and Innovation Nor-Arc Steel Fabricators Assessing markets for Nor-Arc s mobile biomass combustion units Market and technical research on energy recovery and combustion of forest biomass NEXT STEPS: identifying communities or end users (remote or connected), communicate with potentially interested end users, feasibility analysis, available wood supply

18 Research and Innovation centre for research & innovation in the bio-economy CRIBE provides support to turn research and innovative business opportunities into operational realities Partners and projects in Northern Ontario: FP Innovations Bio-Economy Technology Centre, lignin extraction Ensyn advanced cellulosic biofuels Greenfield Specialty Alcohols sugar extraction and improved fibre recovery OPG, Resolute, Lakehead University biochar testing G2 BioChem, Lakehead University biomass recovery towards value-added chemicals Confederation College OPG Bioenergy Learning and Research Centre

19 Research and Innovation Partnership with Batelle (Ohio-based R&D) Developing business case and implementation plan for pyrolysis plant in Algoma region To produce bio-oil later converted bio-polyol (foams, insulation, coatings) More from SSMIC: Smart Energy Strategy Crop Trials Nov Energy Opportunities Conference

20 Education BIC Biomass Curriculum and Training Researched and prepared in advance of need for engineers, technologists, and technicians trained in bioenergy and biomass heating concepts, design, systems, and technologies Modular-based for ease of integration into existing program(s) Open to numerous training approaches and formats

21 Education BIC Education Delivery Continue to embed content into Ontario college and university programs Training sessions for students and professionals Accreditation and certification of materials Develop online courses for Training Portal Develop a certificate in bioeconomy development

22 Education BIC Bioenergy Training Session (Friday) Module 1: Biomass Basics and Sustainability Module 2: Sources of Biomass Module 3: The Biomass Value Chain Module 4: Biomass Conversion Technologies Module 5: Biofuels Module 6: Bioenergy Systems

23 Education Biomass Heating Module 1: Introduction to Commercial Heating Module 2: Assessing the Site Conditions Module 3: Fuels for Biomass Heating Module 4: District Heating Network Design Module 5: Operating a Biomass Heating Plant

24 Education Lakehead University Lakehead University Wood Science Wood property testing Pulp chip analysis Preparation of wood samples Value-added product testing Biorefining Research Institute Bioconversion Chemical conversion Forest microbiota Confederation College OPG Bio-Energy Learning and Research Centre

25 Bioeconomy Strategy Union of Ontario Indians (UOI) signed a MOU with Biomass Innovation Centre towards development of a bioeconomy strategy for northern Ontario Activities within the MOU: Mapping the current capacity for innovation and bioproducts development Advancing industry and community partnerships Developing domestic and foreign markets for northern Ontario bioproducts AND MORE

26 Question: What does northern Ontario s bioeconomy and the Staal brothers have in common? Answer: There s a LOT to keep track of There have been major successes, but still room for improvement When faced with barriers, we work to overcome

27 Upcoming Events the rest of Bioeconomy Week!! Sept 12: BIC Bioenergy Training Session (Confederation College) October 4: Green Energy Doors Open (hosted by OSEA) November 4-6: Energy Opportunities Conference (hosted by SSMIC) BIC Webinars Policy Barriers and Solutions Community Opportunities for Bioenergy Heat, Power, Transportation Renewable Heat for Rural Development Biofuel and Market Development in Ontario

28 Stay Informed How to stay informed: BIC Website - Twitter Facebook facebook.com/biomasscentre LinkedIn Biomass Innovation Centre Bi-monthly Newsletter Biomass Bits Mailing List

29 Thank You! Francis Gallo Community Seminar Liaison Biomass Innovation Centre (705) ext #canbio2014