BIOFUELS RESEARCH AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA
April 25, 2007 - Noon to 1:30 pm,
Holiday Inn Winnipeg South, 1330 Pembina Highway, Winnipeg, MB
Speaker: Dr. David Levin, Biosystems Engineering, UofM
Registration deadline: Friday April 20, 2007
Contact APEGM at (204) 478-3727, fax (204) 474-5960 or email events@apegm.mb.ca

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/

THE THIRD INTERNATIONAL BIOENERGY CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION
June 3-5, 2008 (Yes, 2008!)
Prince George, BC
Details: http://www.bioenergyconference.org/index.php

GROWING SUSTAINABLE BIOFUELS: THE CELLULOSIC FUELS REVOLUTION
Patrick Mazza
Harvesting Clean Energy Journal, April 12, 2007
Biofuels production is booming and production capacity is rapidly growing.  But a biofuels backlash is mounting.  Record high corn prices are raising worries about food supplies. A new energy demand for agricultural products is bringing to the fore long-time concerns about soil erosion as well as use of chemicals, fertilizers, water and genetically modified crops.
Read more: http://harvestjournal.squarespace.com/

POND SCUM A DREAM FOR GREENS: MICROBES CONSUME CO2
M. Munro
Winnipeg Free Press, March 17, 2007
Natural Resources Minister Gary Lunn says that tiny green microbes commonly associated with scummy lakes could capture as much as 100 million tonnes of CO2 now wafting out of coal-fired power plants and oilsands projects each year. That's more than 10 per cent of all the CO2 pumped out of Canada's smoke stacks and exhaust pipes.  Algae are some of the fastest growing organisms out there and they not only eat up large volumes of CO2, but have the potential to generate such valuable byproducts as methane gas, biofuel and animal feed.
Contact the ITC Library to obtain this article.

PURE SWITCHGRASS STANDS MAY NOT BE BEST FOR ETHANOL
DALE HILDEBRANT
Farm & Ranch Guide, April 13, 2007
University of Minnesota Research Associate Dr. Jason Hill says the work he has done indicates there are much better choices for cellulosic ethanol production than switchgrass.  In his study he found that mixtures of 16 native prairie species produced 238 percent more energy on average than a single prairie species such as switchgrass; and, as an added bonus, the stands made up of the plant mixtures removed large amounts of carbon dioxide from the air and stored it in the soil, but that the single species stands did not.
Read more: http://www.farmandranchguide.com/articles/2007/04/13/ag_news/regional_news/region02.txt

WHAT THE HECK IS SWITCH GRASS, ANYWAY?
P. Rinard et al.
Shakopee Valley News, April 5, 2007
Highly diverse mixtures of native prairie plant species have emerged as a leader in the quest to identify the best source of biomass for producing sustainable, bio-based fuel to replace petroleum.  A new study led by David Tilman, Regents Professor of Ecology in the University of Minnesota’s College of Biological Sciences, shows that mixtures of native perennial grasses and other flowering plants provide more usable energy per acre than corn grain ethanol or soybean biodiesel and are far better for the environment.
Read more: http://www.shakopeenews.com/node/1895

LONG-HAUL TRUCKING PROJECT DEMONSTRATES ENORMOUS POTENTIAL OF BIODIESEL: RONDEAU
Manitoba Government News Release, April 12, 2007
The success of the a long-haul trucking project conducted by the province in partnership with Border Chemical shows the potential of biodiesel as a clean-energy alternative in Manitoba.  The demonstration began in October 2006 with one truck using five per cent biodiesel and another vehicle running on petroleum diesel. The bio-diesel vehicle travelled over 50,000 kilometres with temperatures reaching well below -40 C with no problems reported. There has been no change to vehicle performance noticed by its drivers, only a reduction in diesel smell.
Read more: http://news.gov.mb.ca/news/index.html?archive=&item=1451

BIOMASS MAGAZINE
Biomass Magazine, to be launched in May 2007, is a trade journal serving companies that use and/or produce power, fuels, and chemical feedstocks derived from biomass.  The magazine will cover a wide array of issues on the leading edge of biomass utilization technologies, from biorefining, dedicated energy crops and cellulosic ethanol to decentralized power, anaerobic digestion and gasification.
Watch for more information on their web site: www.biomassmagazine.com

LOST IN THE FOREST OF GREEN ENERGY CONCEPTS? TRY THE BIOENERGY WIKI
Biopact, March 29, 2007
The field of bioenergy deals with a range of interacting scientific disciplines, from biology and agronomy, to chemistry, physics and even the social sciences.  No wonder it's easy to lose your way among all the various technologies and terminologies.  The BioEnergy Wiki is an encyclopedia that not only explains bioenergy related terms in a succinct and scientifically correct manner, it also offers news resources and networking opportunities. A growing list of organisations and the latest events in the sector are listed and updated regularly.
Web site: http://www.bioenergywiki.net/index.php/Main_Page

GRANTS TO SPUR BIO-ENERGY DEVELOPMENT IN ALBERTA
Alberta News Release, April 12, 2007
Fourteen renewable energy projects will receive grant funding from the Alberta government to support the development and expansion of bio-energy facilities and technology. The grants are a part of Alberta's Nine-Point Bio-Energy Plan, which helps support the integration of bio-fuels, bio-diesel and biomass generated power with Alberta's traditional energy sources.
Read more: http://www.gov.ab.ca/acn/200704/21278E650034A-B069-F6F2-EE85B2A6556B785B.html

BIOFUELS OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRODUCERS INITIATIVE
Biofuels Opportunities for Producers Initiative, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada -- BOPI helps agricultural producers develop sound business proposals, as well as undertake feasibility or other studies to support the creation and expansion of the biofuel production capacity. To be eligible, projects must comply with ACAAF objectives, principles and criteria, must fit within one of the ACAAF pillars, and must fall under the following key areas: hiring technical, financial, and business planning advisors to assist in developing sound, viable business plans; undertaking feasibility and other studies required to support business proposals; investigating the pre-commercialization of biofuels related research (e.g. technical analysis; adaptive research, market assessments, development of production prototype, and other related eligible activities); gathering information to help determine business opportunities and provide necessary input to generate industry involvement in biofuels capacity building.
Deadline for proposal submission is June 30, 2007.
Details and application information: http://www.mrac.ca/index.cfm/fuseaction/pub.sub/pageID/1CE6AF3C-AA3A-88DD-75FC5225D6E2D7AA/index.cfm/

GREEN LOANS TO HELP FINANCE ENVIRONMENTAL FARM PRACTICES: WOWCHUK
Manitoba Government News Release, April 9, 2007
Manitoba producers planning to take advantage of federal and provincial programs to enhance environmentally-sustainable farming practices can now access additional financial help through a new Environmental Enhancement Loans Program.  The new initiative focuses on providing loan assistance for projects such as improved manure storage, handling and treatment, relocation of livestock and horticulture facilities, and other environmental initiatives involving substantial capital commitment.  The Environmental Enhancement Loans are offered through the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC).  The maximum loan is $150,000 with repayment terms of up to 15 years.
Read more: http://news.gov.mb.ca/news/index.html?archive=2007-04-01&item=1429