Features Energy Procurement
Green power for greenhouses in BC

One of two renewable energy projects in BC being funded by the Governments of BC and Canada will provide green power to greenhouses.

GreenScene AgriTek Inc. in Chiliwack has received funding of $146,600 to expand the use of its recently-built ‘used horse-bedding reclaiming and recycling’ plant in Ladner. The byproduct created at the facility is used as animal bedding at surrounding farms, but the company wants to reclaim the wood component of the bedding to produce a quality biofuel that can be used in greenhouse boilers and for electricity co-generation.

The press release states that “Initially, the target market for their biofuel will be greenhouse operations in the Metro Vancouver/Fraser Valley area. These facilities could save significantly on their annual heating costs.”

The investment of the two projects totals $289,175, and the funding comes from the Canada-B.C. Agri-Innovation Program. These investments are being provided under Growing Forward, a federal-provincial-territorial agreement. The Canada-B.C. Agri-Innovation Program supports projects that lead to innovation and enhanced profitability and competitiveness, both on-farm and throughout the rest of the supply chain.

The other funding recipient is Diacarbon Energy Inc. They have received $142,575 to convert agricultural wastes such as anaerobic digestate, poultry litter and spent mushroom substrate into biocoal. Using an innovative process, they will also research the use of this biocoal as an industrial fuel and energy source.

Diacarbon Energy’s goal is to create a new or additional revenue stream for farmers where previously, they may have incurred disposal costs. They aim to develop a cleaner-burning fuel helping to reduce carbon emissions.

Currently, agricultural waste can be utilized in low-value applications such as fertilizer, but there is a limit to the amount that can be applied. Conversion of this waste into marketable biofuels will mean that the waste can be sold.