RENEWABLE ENERGY OPPORTUNITIES – MAKING IT HAPPEN
Learn about: Wind energy (small community based); Biomass – energy (wood chips, wood and straw pellets); Biodiesel production; Government energy programs and policies.

March 15, 2007
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
St. Malo Club Noret
To register contact MAFRI (Roger Robert) at 433-7749 by March 13. 
$15 (lunch included)

March 21, 2007
8:45 am – 4:00 pm
Manitou Curling Club
To register contact Pembina Manitou CDC at 242-3147 by March 19.  

2007 WORLD CONGRESS ON INDUSTRIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOPROCESSING
March 21-24, 2007
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort
Orlando, FL
Companies from across the United States on the leading edge of commercializing alternative fuels, chemicals, and biobased products from cellulosic biomass will be present.
Details:  http://www.bio.org/worldcongress/

BIOMASS AND BIOREFINERY DEALS 2007
March 26-28, 2007
Washington, DC
Investment opportunities and strategies in Biomass and Biofuels.  JOIN leading government officials, developers, equity and venture financiers, and technology providers to DISCUSS ways to advance the biomass industry.
Details: http://www.infocastinc.com/biomass07.html

BIO-ENERGY – A REALISTIC OPPORTUNITY FOR AGRICULTURE?
March 28th 2007 - March 29th 2007
Banff, AB
Banff Conference on Agriculture, Food, and the Environment presented by Alberta Institute of Agrologists
Details: http://www.aiabanffconference.com/

GROWING THE MARGINS: ENERGY CONSERVATION AND GENERATION FOR FARMS AND FOOD PROCESSORS
April 11-13, 2007
London, Ontario
This conference has been designed with the interests of livestock and field & horticulture crop farmers, greenhouse operators, food and beverage processors, technology and service providers, governments at all levels, utilities, researchers, and financial institutions in mind.  GTM will be of particular interest to those who are attracted by the social, economic and environmental benefits of on-farm energy conservation and generation and how these benefits can be realized.
Details: http://www.gtmconf.ca/program_highlights.htm

ATLANTIC BIOENERGY CONFERENCE 2007
May 9-11, 2007
St. John, NB
The 2007 Atlantic Bioenergy Conference is intended to bring together, for the very first time in Atlantic Canada, all of the Canadian bioenergy stakeholders with the objective of gaining an appreciation and knowledge as to how to advance this industry in Atlantic Canada. This Conference will be the first step of many in developing and advancing a new opportunity for the agricultural and forestry sectors, and is aimed at setting the stage for future action.
Details: http://www.atlanticbioenergy.ca/english_home.html

BIOMASS '07: POWER, FUELS, AND CHEMICALS WORKSHOP
May 15-16, 2007
Alerus Center, Grand Forks, ND
The Energy & Environmental Research Center, in Grand Forks, North Dakota, is conducting a 1.5 day workshop/conference pertaining to the utilization of biomass for power, fuels and chemicals. Biomass is the largest and most promising sustainable and renewable energy resource with true global applications. By attending the Biomass '07: Power, Fuels, and Chemicals Workshop, at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, North Dakota, you will discover opportunities for economic development, network with researchers and potential partners, and learn how you can become a part of this growing multibillion dollar industry.
Details: http://www.undeerc.org/biomass07/

ALGAE-BASED FUELS SET TO BLOOM
K. Bullis
Technology Review, February 05, 2007
Rising oil prices and energy costs and new and emerging technologies are creating new interest in a potentially rich biofuel.  Algae makes oil naturally. Raw algae can be processed to make biocrude, the renewable equivalent of petroleum, and refined to make gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and chemical feedstocks for plastics and drugs.
Read more: http://www.technologyreview.com/Energy/18138/

BIOMASS RECALCITRANCE: ENGINEERING PLANTS AND ENZYMES FOR BIOFUELS PRODUCTION.
Himmel, et al.
Science, 2/9/07, p. 804
Lignocellulosic biomass is recognized as a potential sustainable source of mixed sugars for fermentation to biofuels and other biomaterials.  This research considers the natural resistance of plant cell walls to microbial and enzymatic deconstruction.
Contact the ITC library to obtain this article.

DYNAMOTIVE’S AUSTRALIAN PROJECT GETS CITY APPROVAL
Globe-Net, February 24, 2007
 A project using Vancouver-based Dynamotive Energy Systems’ fast pyrolysis technology to turn green waste into biofuel for electricity generation at a mine has received approval from Darwin city council. The plant would convert green waste into greenhouse gas/carbon neutral BioOil fuel, which combusts with far less NOx and virtually no SOx in comparison to conventional fossil fuel, says Dynamotive.
Read more: http://www.globe-net.ca/search/display.cfm?NID=2663&CID=9

FARM POWER! AN ECO-FARM PERSPECTIVE
Organic Matters, 2006, p. 1-2
The Ecological Farming Association has been promoting biofuels and alternative energy for more than a decade.  In this article, The Association states its concern that corn ethanol has taken on fad-like proportions at the expense of many more promising feedstocks and technologies: for example, Biodiesel and Vegetable Oil, Solar, and Algae biodiesel.  Algae produces substantially greater rates of bioenergy than "land" plants.  The per unit yield of oil from algae is 7 to 31 times greater than the next best crop, which is palm oil.  According to researchers at the University of New Hampshire, algae is one of the most photosynthetically efficient plants, has extremely fast growth rates, can use human or animal waste as a food source, and can grow in a wide range of conditions.
Read more: http://www.eco-farm.org/pdfs/Newsletter06.pdf

A NOTE FROM THE WORLD SUSTAINABLE ENERGY DAYS: BIOMASS PELLETS
Biopact, March 1, 2007
Biomass fuel pellets are a clean, CO2-neutral and convenient fuel with rapidly growing market shares in many European countries and showing a growing global trade.  Biomass pellets are most often made from wood chips and forestry residues or from woody energy crops grown on dedicated plantations, even though dedicated herbaceous feedstocks (fast growing grass species) are receiving more and more attention as well.
Read more: http://biopact.com/2007/03/note-from-world-sustainable-energy-days.html

A PORTABLE REFINERY POWERED BY GARBAGE
Tyler Hamilton
Technology Review, February 14, 2007
Reminiscent of Back to the Future, researchers at Purdue University's department of agricultural and biological engineering have developed a portable machine that turns a variety of food waste and inorganic trash into electricity. The intent is to reduce the amount of diesel fuel and garbage that soldiers in the field must carry with them.  The refinery is three technologies in one: a bioreactor that uses enzymes and micro-organisms to turn food waste into ethanol; a gasification unit that turns plastics, paper, and other residual waste into methane and low-grade propane; and a modified diesel engine that can burn gas, ethanol, and diesel fuel in variable proportions.
Read more: http://www.technologyreview.com/Energy/18183/

WILL CELLULOSIC ETHANOL TAKE OFF?
K. Bullis
Technology Review, February 26, 2007
Cellulosic ethanol, a fuel produced from the stalks and stems of plants (rather than only from sugars and starches, as with corn ethanol), is starting to take root in the United States.  Several companies are moving forward with plans to build plants.  However, experts from industry and environmental groups say that without loan guarantees and other incentives, the industry will fail to make it without government help.
Read more: http://www.technologyreview.com/Energy/18227/

BIOENERGY DEMAND COULD PUSH GROWTH IN SOFT WHEAT
The Lethbridge Herald, 02/17/2007
"Production of soft white spring wheat in Western Canada could hit 750,000 tonnes by 2010," says an industry spokesman. Soft wheat has the highest starch content, producing as much as 18 per cent more ethanol per tonne than red or white spring wheat.
Contact the ITC library to obtain this article.

BIOENERGY POTENTIAL 'TREMENDOUS'
The Lethbridge Herald, 02/17/2007
The bioenergy field holds tremendous potential in Alberta, but there's still a lot of speculation as to what the impact will be.  The goal is to replace some of the petroleum fuel with a renewable plant biomass in Alberta that will become a significant feedstock for fuel, materials and chemical products.  Alberta's opportunity rests with its push in biorefining.
Contact the ITC library to obtain this article.

CANADA'S NEW GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES ECOTRUST FUNDING FOR MANITOBA
Environment Canada,March 3, 2007
Canada's Minister of the Environment, joined by Manitoba Premier Gary Doer announced that Canada's New Government intends to provide Manitoba with $53.8 million as part of the new Canada ecoTrust to support provincial projects that will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions smog and air pollution.  Manitoba's funding under the Canada ecoTrust is intended to support projects consistent with Manitoba's climate change action plan, such as: supporting the creation of new biodiesel plants in rural Manitoba; and, increasing Manitoba's portfolio of renewable energy to include solar power and bio-gas.
Read more: http://www.ec.gc.ca/press/2007/070303_n_e.htm

CANOLA'S FUTURE APPEARS TO BE BRIGHT
RICHARDS, HARLEY
Red Deer Advocate, 1/16/07
Canola Council of Canada is be proposing a canola production of fifteen million tonnes by 2015.  The oilseed is a favoured feedstock for biodiesel production and a rising star in dietary circles.  Along with the recent federal government announcement for funding for bio-energy production, the Alberta government has pledged (in October) of $239 million for bioenergy producers.  Already proposed for Alberta is a $400-million canola crushing plant and biorefinery that would consume as much as 750,000 tonnes of canola annually.  James Richardson International and Louis Dreyfus Canada each expect to begin construction on canola crushing plants that would require up to 840,000 and 850,000 tonnes respectively.  An aggressive shift to biofuels in Europe and elsewhere is driving demand for Canadian canola and canola oil.  Despite its favourable position on the biofuel bandwagon, canola might have even greater potential on the food market, said David Bender of the Alberta Canola Producers Commission.
Contact the ITC library to obtain this article.

HOG PROCESSING OPTIONS UP IN THE AIR
The Journal-Pioneer, 1/27/07
A portent of things to come?  The few remaining pork producers in New Brunswick are sounding the death knell for their struggling farms due, in part, to the high feed prices.  The high cost of feed is attributed to high demand for grains, which is being diverted for use in bio-energy.  Feed costs have almost doubled.
Contact the ITC library to obtain this article.

MILITARY WANTS GREEN ENERGY AND FUEL EFFICIENCY
Globe-Net, February 26, 2007
Faced with mounting fuel bills, the Canadian Forces is looking to alternative energy sources as well as getting better performance from equipment that it purchases in the future. The Canadian Forces is interested in the research being conducted by its allies on alternative energy sources, such as wind turbines and hybrid-electric engine technology.  Work is also planned on the use of biodiesel and ethanol fuels.
Read more: http://www.globe-net.ca/search/display.cfm?NID=2661&CID=8

NEW ENERGY PLAN WILL SEE B.C. ELECTRICITY SELF-SUFFICIENT BY 2016
02/26/2007
British Columbia has introduced a plan to allow the province to become electricity self-sufficient within nine years.  Bioenergy, geothermal energy, tidal, run-of-the-river, solar and wind power are all mentioned in the throne speech.
Read more: http://www.energyplan.gov.bc.ca/bcep/default.aspx?hash=6

TIME TO START 'BUILDING JOBS OF THE FUTURE'
Wilson, Jonathan
Chronicle-Journal, The (Thunder Bay, ON), 02/26/2007
Atikokan, ON Mayor Dennis Brown told an audience at Research and Innovation Week festivities at Lakehead University that "Small towns in rural Canada must innovate, or wither and die."   Generating new industries and new opportunities is one way to build the jobs of the future.  The R&I Ministry of Ontario has made a $4-million investment in bio-energy research in Atikokan.  The money will be used to study the use of trees and forestry waste to produce energy, and new jobs through industries which may eventually refine bio-materials and bio-fuels.
Contact the ITC library to obtain this article.

BIOENERGY FEEDSTOCK INFORMATION NETWORK
Oak Ridge National Laboratory hosts a web-based resource center, the Bioenergy Feedstock Information Network, that assembles a wealth of information from the Department of Energy, the laboratory itself, Idaho National Laboratory, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and other research organizations working on alternative fuels.  The Biomass Basics topic from the toolbar offers a collection of fact sheets, journal articles, weblinks, presentations, and reports that provide general insight into the biofuel production industry.
Web site: http://bioenergy.ornl.gov

BIORESOURCES
North Carolina State University publishes a Peer-Reviewed Online Journal Devoted to the Science and Engineering of Biomass from Lignocellulosic Sources for New End Uses and New Capabilities
Web site: http://www.ncsu.edu/bioresources/

NEW STANDARDS ON GREENHOUSE GASES

The Industrial Technology Centre Library has recently added the new CSA/ISO standards on Greenhouse Gases to our collection:

CAN/CSA-ISO 14064-1 Greenhouse Gases — Part 1: Specification with Guidance at the Organization Level for Quantification and Reporting of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Removals

This part of ISO 14064 specifies principles and requirements at the organization level for quantification and reporting of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and removals. It includes requirements for the design, development, management, reporting and verification of an organization's GHG inventory.

CAN/CSA–ISO 14064-2 Greenhouse gases — Part 2: Specification with Guidance at the Project Level for Quantification, Monitoring and Reporting of Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions or Removal Enhancements

This part of ISO 14064 specifies principles and requirements and provides guidance at the project level for quantification, monitoring and reporting of activities intended to cause greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions or removal enhancements. It includes: requirements for planning a GHG project;identifying and selecting GHG sources, sinks and reservoirs relevant to the project; and baseline scenario, monitoring, quantifying, documenting and reporting GHG project performance and managing data quality.

CAN/CSA–ISO 14064-3 Greenhouse gases — Part 3: Specification with Guidance for the Validation and Verification of Greenhouse Gas Assertions

This part of ISO 14064 specifies principles and requirements and provides guidance for those conducting or managing the validation and/or verification of greenhouse gas (GHG) assertions. It can be applied to organizational or GHG project quantification, including GHG quantification, monitoring and reporting carried out in accordance with ISO 14064-1 or ISO 14064-2. This part of ISO 14064 specifies requirements for: selecting GHG validators/verifiers; establishing the level of assurance, objectives, criteria and scope; determining the validation/verification approach;
assessing GHG data, information, information systems and controls; evaluating GHG assertions and preparing validation/verification statements.

Contact the ITC Library if you are interested in reviewing these publications.

BIO-FUEL: PART OF OUR ENERGY FUTURE
N. Daye, Plant: Canada's Industry Newspaper, 1/16/07, p. 20
There may be a decline in the number of farms operating in Canada; but many are suggesting that the bioenergy industry may be able to re-energize power supplies and the agricultural sector.  This article provides a quick review of the materials and players in this growing sector.
Contact the ITC library to obtain this article.

DOE SEEKS A FAST TRACK TO NEW ENERGY EFFICIENCY STANDARDS
The U.S. DOE has requested congressional authorization to greatly speed up its process for setting energy efficiency standards, with the goal of bringing more efficient products to market sooner.
Read more: http://www.eere.energy.gov/news/archive.cfm/pubDate=%7Bd%20%272007%2D02%2D28%27%7D#10595

ETHANOL DEMAND THREATENS FOOD PRICES
Brittany Sauser
Technology Review, February 13, 2007
The recent rise in corn prices (70 percent in the past six months) caused by the increased demand for ethanol biofuel has come much sooner than many agriculture economists expected.  The jump in corn prices is already affecting the cost of food.
Read more: http://www.technologyreview.com/Energy/18173/

VENTURE CAPITALISTS WANT TO PUT SOME ALGAE IN YOUR TANK
C. Kraus
New York Times, March 7, 2007
A few companies are in a race to be first to convert algae to fuel on a commercial scale, and it will require not a small amount of money, luck and biotech tweaking.
Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/07/business/07algae.html?ex=1173934800&en=098411d85cce0c6e&ei=5070&emc=eta1

WILL IOGEN BUILD IN CANADA?
Globe-Net, February 23, 2007
Iogen Corporation has developed its cellulose ethanol technology to create fuel from straw and agricultural waste thanks in part to sustained investment by the Government of Canada. But as the company plans to build a commercial scale plant, financial concerns may lead it to choose a site in the United States or Germany, unless Canada matches generous incentives offered by those countries.
Read more: http://www.globe-net.ca/search/display.cfm?NID=2648&CID=8