Biomass fuels opportunity for forestry, agricultural industries

A seminar on bioenergy and its small-scale applications for wood and agricultural fibre has been organized by the Annapolis-Digby Economic Development Agency in partnership with the Canadian Bioenergy Association.

From wood shavings to cornhusks, biomass fuel, such as bio-bricks, pellets and bio-diesel, can be created from low-end wood products as well as waste products from both the forestry and agriculture industries.

ADEDA economic development officer Terry Thibodeau is looking to involve local woodlot owners and farmers in taking advantage of the seminar, which takes place Feb. 14-15 at the Annapolis Basin Conference Centre.

“We realize that the forestry industry is in a bit of a depressed time right now,” he says. “This is a way to get people back in the woods.”

With the bioenergy trend growing, bioenergy operations throughout the Maritimes are popping up, including a company in Weymouth, Lewis Moldings, which is preparing to produce ‘bio-bricks’.

In New Brunswick, the Northumberland Woodlot Owners Association has worked toward establishing an operation in Miramichi that will produce 120,000 tonnes of pellets annually, creating between 30 to 35 new jobs.

While Thibodeau hopes to see representation from both the forestry and agriculture industries, he also encourages stove and furnace dealers as well as users of commercial oil-fired furnaces and stoves to attend.

Along with the local opportunity to produce biomass fuel, there is also an opportunity for energy consumers to move toward a more sustainable, green and cost-effective method, he said.

For more information about the seminar, call 638-3490.