PELA CFDC Supports Biomass for Rural Vitality Study ? ELORIN

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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.

For the full report please click here