PELA CFDC Supports Biomass for Rural Vitality Study – ELORIN
The Eastern Lake Ontario Regional Innovation Network
(ELORIN) is a non-profit organization which is actively supporting bio-business
development. They envision a future in which Eastern Lake Ontario is the hub of
bio-business activities. It is their goal to bring bio-business opportunities
to life and impact regional prosperity.
Their latest project was to explore the opportunities for
producing pellets from agricultural biomass in Lennox and Addington County
If all of this seems like science fiction you would not be
alone. In a nutshell biomass but more specifically pelletization is the process
in which plants in this instance are grown and pressed into pellets. These
pellets which are low in moisture can be burned very efficiently and are
usually used for heating or electricity generation.
Prince Edward/Lennox & Addington Community Futures
Development Corporation provided $20,000 in support from last years Eastern
Ontario Development Program. The research helped ELORIN provide stakeholders in
the PELA region with comprehensive information on feedstock's, land use,
environmental impacts, technologies, markets, as well as provided workshops.
ELORIN has completed their research and have submitted a
92 page report which is available at www.pelacfdc.ca/downloadfilesc19.php
The report identifies potential end users such as Greenhouses and Residential
Home Heating. Suitable hectares are also highlighted including the type of
energy cop production available as well as future recommendations for the Lennox and Addington area. ELORIN estimates an increase
demand for 15,000 tones of switchgrass pellets can come from simply heating 1%
of Ontario’s
Greenhouse space.
Although there is a learning curve with bio-mass farmers
have taken notice for a few reasons. Unlike corn which is grown on fertile land
switchgrass can be grown on land which is currently viewed as low grade. This
means farmers would not have to debate the profit point to grow corn or wheat
over switchgrass since ideally they would be able to do both. Second
switchgrass pellets produce relatively low emissions when burned therefore
reducing the carbon footprint of Ontario.
The report does suggest further study
however it considers Lennox and Addington to
be well positioned to be a leader in this industry.
