Overview of Ontario Biogas Systems
Financial Assistance Program
Objectives
The program, which ran from September 2008 to March 2010, aimed to:
- Increase the number of biogas systems built in Ontario
- Increase utilization of products and byproducts in biogas systems
- Improve biogas utilization
- Decrease greenhouse gas emissions
- Increase knowledge amongst potential biogas stakeholders
- Increase the number and experience of biogas technology providers.
The Ontario Biogas Systems Financial Assistance Program is now closed
and the ministry will continue to support the newly established biogas
sector through various projects.
Successes
A total of $11.2 million was used to grow a biogas sector in Ontario
through the development of biogas systems on farms and at food processing
businesses. Up to 27 biogas systems are expected to be built or under
construction in Ontario by the end of the program.
The program has contributed significant assistance to various industry
projects, including:
- helping to simplify electrical grid connection requirements
- supporting a biogas industry group - the AgriEnergy Producers' Association
of Ontario
- conducting studies of biogas yields from Ontario feedstocks
- holding four training courses and several workshops
- providing other sector resources, such as equipment loans.
The ministry has contributed significant funding, resources and training
to establish the biogas sector and is now continuing to support it through
various projects, including:
- training opportunities for safe, operational, and profitable systems
- promoting technologies and knowledge transfer
- encouraging biogas system technology improvements
- improved opportunities to reutilize organic materials
Benefits of Biogas Systems
- Biogas systems benefit Ontarians by reducing greenhouse gas emissions,
producing peak and non-peak renewable power, and improving waste diversion
rates, while providing other environmental benefits such as pathogen
reduction and odour control.
- Biogas systems treat manure and other organic materials that reduce
pathogens and odours.
- Biogas systems can produce clean, renewable energy that reduces greenhouse
gas emissions.
- Biogas systems produce a new revenue stream for farm and food processing
operations.
