Biodiesel Reflections

I've started a re-look at bio-diesel. It hasn't been on my radar screen for awhile. Recently I came across an article from the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association. They represent some pretty sizable petro-chemical companies and were very positive on the future of bio-diesel. Although I was looking for the farm perspective on the opportunity I found their attitude almost too optimistic.

What I'd really like to know and share is if biodiesel is a viable business opportunity for farmers to increase profits, diversify, lay off risk or participate in more of the value chain i.e. production and refining of the biodiesel.

What's your experience?

I'm going to do some digging and report back.

Small or Big Wind - How to decide?

I am in awe of wind power. I travel through Shelburne, Ontario periodically and the wind farm north of the town always takes my breath away. Although I'm interested in the large turbines, I see small wind as more of an opportunity. Our local Walmart has a small wind turbine that produces enough energy to light the store. I visited this week in silent support of their wind initiative as I prefer to shop elsewhere. While I shopped I came up with a list of things that I would consider in order to make decisions on wind energy:

Does it fit in my business?
What kind of equipment do I need?
How much does it cost?
What is the payback in my area? And more...

The Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) is one resource available to assist. See www.smallwindeenrgy.ca/en/SmallWind.html

The "acid test" was particularly interesting - it is a calculator that looks up wind performance and electricity rates in your area and examines performance of differenct sizes of turbines.

Do you have resources to share?

Exciting Energy Research and Analysis on Biomass

A pet peeve of mine is the value lost when project funding ends. So I was keen to see an organization working hard to expand on the value created by doing research projects through a series of information sessions highlighting biomass research called the Research 2 Receptor Series. Presenting organizations included Ontario Power Generation, Ontario Federation of Agriculture, University of Guelph, The George Morris Centre and several others. It was well attended with reps from organizations that can contribute to the successful evolution of biomass as an energy source and a business opportunity in Ontario.

It is not without it's challenges including:

• agronomics
• logistics
• policy and regulations
• pricing mechanisms
• competitive land uses (i.e. food production)
• existing energy generation infrastructure and more

It sounds overwhelming, but I was pleasantly surprise at the positive attitude and approach, stay tuned for more and perhaps you would like to contribute your ideas on biomass...