Michael Weedon: Bioeconomy Opportunities in BC - International ...

International Bioenergy
Conference and Exhibition
Bioeconomy Opportunities in BC
Michael Weedon, Executive Director
June 14, 2012

Agenda
• Energy, Fossil Energy
Energy Return on Energy Invested
• Eight Woody Biomass Opportunities in BC
Actions for Development
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A Bright and Exciting
Future and Energy Revolution is Underway
• Canada is blessed with an abundance of
natural resources including fossil fuels and
biomass resources.
• In the low fossil fuel price environment
experienced most of this century, save for
the last ten years, these biomass resources
have been largely wasted.
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30 20 10 5 3
Average Price of Oil and Coal US $ Per
Gigajoule
$20.00
$15.00
$10.00
$5.00
Oil
Coal
$0.00
1
Years
4

Recently Presented at a Tides Canada Webinar
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1930
6

2011
7

2011
8

2014
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Net Energy Cliff
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The Game is Changing
• Biorefining technologies on the shelf for sixty
years are now being developed and
deployed, and new technologies and scientific
knowledge are being discovered to
revolutionize the energy industry.
• Biorefining opportunities will abound in
biomass rich jurisdictions, a blessing which
Canada can capitalize upon though
sustainable and responsible development.
11

Coal in the United States is at a Crisis Point!
• Public utility commissions have rejected, or
the companies have themselves, cancelled or
postponed 153 plants.
• The plant cancellations amounted to $243
billion in investment decisions being
reversed, or disinvested, from coal in four
years.
As You Sow, June 2011
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The Cost of Oil is Up!
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The Cost of Electricity is Going Up!
Dashed Line
requires
technology
improvement
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And electricity costs are even higher with CO2
removal
Dashed Line
requires
technology
improvement
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With the Price of Fuel and Electricity Going Up
There will be numerous
Opportunities
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1. Utilize Waste Streams to Displace Fossil Fuels
Most Important Initiative Today
Utilization of existing waste streams (solid wood residues, pulp and paper
sludge, forest residuals, municipal biosolids and gases and agricultural
animal and crop waste) holds the highest immediate potential for bioenergy
development.
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2. Promote Torrefied Fuels to Displace Coal
Promising With Huge Potential
Solid wood residual derived second generation energy products, such as torrefied
pellets and briquettes (the processing of wood at elevated temperatures in the
absence of oxygen to increase energy density and reduce logistics costs), represent
one of the highest potential growth opportunities in BC.
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3. Promote Thermochemical Clean Syngas
Generation, Distribution and Transportation Fuel
Demonstration Projects
Potential Game Changer
These technology developments provide new
pathways for high value fossil fuel replacement
applications.
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4. Promote Biochemical Production Demonstration
Projects for Biomethane, Ethanol, Biodiesel and High
Value Chemicals
A Pulp and Paper Industry Opportunity
Paradigm at Catalyst Paper
Lignol Demo in Burnaby
Conversion of biomass residuals into transportation grade fuels/specialty chemicals
is one of the highest value applications for bioenergy.
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6. Promote Low Cost Drying Best Practices and
Technologies to Enhance Feedstock Supply and
Reduce Costs
A Path To Cost Reduction
Utilization of low cost drying technologies holds potential to reduce costs for
BC forestry, utility, industry and municipalities.
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7. Support Combined Heat And Power Woody
Biomass Systems In Off-grid Communities
Economically Viable Opportunity For First Nations
Displacement of diesel and propane through deployment of CHP systems
reduce cost of energy in off-grid communities and generates jobs and pride
in communities.
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8. Encourage Integrated Resource Mindset in
Forestry, Municipalities and Agriculture
Required for Long Term Success
British Sugar Bioethanol Plant, UK
Integrated resource management is key to improved energy utilization, cost
reduction and development of the bioeconomy.
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Conclusion
The race for clean sustainable
energy has begun
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Thank you
Michael Weedon
BC Bioenergy Network
www.bcbioenergy.ca
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