January 2012 Newsletter
Green Ton Converter
When referencing biomass, do you talk in green tons and other people talk bone dry tons? With growing markets for energy wood and expanding trade in dead material with a low moisture content, there are more business situations where forest products and services are traded on a bone dry ton basis. This biomass green ton converter is an easy tool for $/ton and weight translations. Use the converter here.
December 2011 Newsletter
CanBio Mission to Austria & Italy
Here's a quick look at the draft agenda and registration form for the upcoming Canbio mission to Austria and Italy February 28-March 6, 2012. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Noam Sugarman of Canbio below. And please feel free to pass on to your colleagues, suppliers, and customers who may be interested in understanding more about biomass based energy systems. This would also be useful for municipal elected officials, senior decision makers, and first nations communities considering biomass systems.
There is tremendous value offered in a biomass focused program covering everything from biomass sourcing and feedstock, storage, technologies, and facilities. Austria is one of the leading biomass heat and combined heat and power jurisdictions in the world, with over 1500 installations and we can learn much from their experience. This program will also include participation in the World Sustainable Energy Days in Wels, Austria and a side trip south to Northern Italy to see several Organic Rankin Cycle installations which are a well established technology to combine power to existing biomass heat facilities.
Learn more here.
We will begin accepting new applications for capitol projects in the energy, transportation, waste and water sectors; as well as for plans, feasibility studies and field tests on December 1, 2011.
Applications for capital projects in the brownsfield sector can be submitted at any time before December 1 using the current GMF Application Form.
All applicants will need to use an updated form after December 1.
To best manage the funding available to support the strongest initiatives, these program updates will take effect on December 1, 2011:
- a new competitive selection process for capital projects in the energy, transportation, waste and water sectors
- updated eligibility criteria and maximum grants for plans, studies and tests
- an updated GMF Application Form and new support tools for applicants
No need to rush: The new selection process for capital projects in the above sectors is designed to enable us to continue accepting new applications year-round and to ensure that the best projects are approved regardless of when the application is submitted. Read more here.
BC Bioenergy Network - Opportunity
BC Bioenergy Network is inviting technology developers to submit an expression of interest ("EOI") for woody biomass combined heat and power ("CHP") technologies suitable for remote communities.
BC Bioenergy Network is acting on behalf of the Kwadacha First Nation located in Fort Ware, BC, Canada. The Kwadacha village is a remote community, defined as being not connected to the Province's electricity grid or a natural gas pipeline. The community is currently electrified using diesel generators and is heated using cord wood, propane, and baseboard electrical heaters.
See the bid here.
It's been a great year for Northern BC, and we're just getting started! We've been busy over the past year with many accomplishments around the province already. Interest in biomass energy for both commercial and industrial businesses in climbing, and you can find out more through our detailed Phase 1 report here.
Green Heat Initiative Announces Agreement with BC Community Energy Association
The Green Heat Initiative and the BC Community Energy Association (CEA) have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to accelerate the use of BC biomass to assist communities in taking climate action. Read More
The Green Heat Initiative has developed “A Renewable Biomass Energy Vision for 2025.” The vision looks at BC ‘s current commercial and residential energy use and how an increase to 15% would significantly impact rural communities. The Vision shows a reduction in energy cost of $240 million and 830,000 tonne per year of reduction in carbon emissions. For more information please contact us at greenheat@cfquesnel.com
Biomass heating was featured in the January edition of Municipal World. Check out the discussion around the benefits from biomass heat and some Northern BC projects. For more information please contact us at greenheat@cfquesnel.com
Funding to update the guide was provided by the BC Bioenergy Network and Western Economic Diversification Canada, as well as the Northern Rural and Remote Communities Green Heat Initiative and the Resources North Association.
Prefeasibility Biomass Calculator
The calculator is designed as a snap assessment tool to determine the costs and savings of switching to a biomass heating system. Using the estimated annual heating cost, fuel type and heat output of your current system (usually located on the serial number tag of your current heating system) the calculator will help determine how a Green Heat system would work for you.
A Step by Step Guide to Biomass Heating Systems and Local Renewable Fuels:
How to Evaluate and Implement a Wood Chip or Pellet Heating System for your Building or Community
New Biomass Heating Project Guide developed by the Green Heat Initiative, July 2010
Download 