Agricultural Biomass for Combustion Energy

Project to Commercialize Agricultural Biomass for Combustion Energy

1. About the Steering Committee
2. Terms of Reference
3. Steering Committee Meeting Minutes
4. Biomass Forums
5. Funding for Biomass Research and Development
6. Ontario Research Completed or Underway
7. OMAFRA Resources

About the Steering Committee

The Ontario government has committed to eliminate coal-fired power generation at Ontario Power Generation (OPG) facilities by the end of 2014. OPG and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), with the support of the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MEI), are coordinating analysis of the feasibility of a commercial agricultural biomass industry for the production of combustion energy in Ontario.

The project is being led by a Steering Committee representing a cross section of agriculture, industry, academic and government experts. Under their direction, the project is examining the role agricultural biomass might have in producing power and heat to help reduce net greenhouse gas emissions, to help meet Ontario's climate change commitments and to help meet renewable energy targets. They are also tackling the gaps in research, economic analysis and infrastructure development that need to be addressed prior to government decisions about fostering the development of this industry.

Three working groups composed of people in the forefront of this emerging industry, have been established to share their expertise and advice with the Steering Committee.

1. The Business Case Working Group is looking at whether a business case can be made at each step in the value chain.
2. The Technical Working Group is addressing agronomic, infrastructure and combustion challenges.
3. The Environmental Sustainability Working Group is focused on environmental sustainability and development of a sustainability certification system.

Terms of Reference

• Steering Committee
• Business Case Working Group
• Technical Working Group
• Environmental Sustainability Working Group
  • Best Management Practices/Environmental Farm Plan Task Team

Steering Committee Meeting Minutes

• June 1, 2011
• March 7, 2011
• October 27, 2010
• June 14, 2010
• April 9, 2010
• February 8, 2010
• January 11, 2010
  • Notes from Facilitated Session on Work Plan Directions

Biomass Forums

• Agronomy (February 2011)
• Technology (April 2011)

Funding for Biomass Research and Development

• Provincial and Federal Funding Programs for Bioenergy Projects (Biomass for Combustion Energy, Biogas and Biofuels) - July 2011

Ontario Research Completed or Underway

• Add or Update Your Ontario Agricultural Biomass Research Project
• Summary of Agricultural Biomass Research Studies in Ontario (November 2011)
  
  
• Add a Website Link (Major Biomass Research and Development Initiatives)
• Cement 2020
• Ontario Federation of Agriculture Biomass Project
• Ontario Power Generation's Biomass Energy Webpage
• Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association - Ontario Field-Scale Agricultural Biomass Research

OMAFRA Resources

• Biomass Burn Characteristics
• Biomass Combustion: Is Biomass Combustion Right for My Farm Operation?
• Biomass Crop Seed/Planting Material Suppliers
• Biomass Densification
• Biomass Fuel Pellets Suppliers
• Biomass Pelletizing, Heating and Combustion Equipment Manufacturers/Suppliers
• Switchgrass Enterprise Budget