Let's Make Conservation Sexy

I was reading about "grassoline" this morning and it really intrigued me. Grassoline referred to the ethanol resulting from cellulosic fermentation of switchgrass. This is typical of the information I come across on renewable energy - it is smart, interesting and compelling - it really grabs you.

Information on energy conservation and efficiency...well not so much. This information is often technical, detailed, and hard to digest. An engineer friend of mine said that conservation just isn't sexy - and I agree, we are almost programmed to consume to reflect our prosperity and rich is sexy. How can we change our view on conservation?

Renewable Energy & Conservation the Perfect Couple

I firmly believe that conservation & renewable energy go hand in hand - with carbon sequestering on the side you have me (multi-tasking is a weak spot). I guess that is why I find biochar such an intriguing prospect. It is a potential renewable energy source, conserves and recycles nutrients (in some cases for hundreds of years) and has potential to sequester billions of tonnes of carbon annually.

Why haven't I heard of it before? Lots in the news about biofuels and turbines, hmmm.
Is multi-tasking still over-rated?

CONSERVATION FIRST

I first started writing about renewable energy about four years ago and have heard from numerous experts that conservation first before engaging in renewable energy is an essential policy. To me it is a common sense approach.

Yet 99% of reports on activities related to energy are focused on renewables and it seems government policy points this way as well. Recently applications for support under EcoEnergy, a federal conservation initiative, were unaccepted.

In Ontario the province has purchased thousands of megawatts of renewable power yet there seems to be a gap in programs for conservation.

What do you think, conservation first or fast track to a green energy production emphasis?

SOBIN - Southwestern Ontario Bioproducts Innovation Network

This is a cool organization - it works closely with the agricultural, chemical and automotive industries in Southwestern Ontario to support development of environmentally friendly, sustainable products that enhance the local economy.

SOBIN are also leading the development of the Centre for Agricultural Renewable Energy and Sustainability (CARES for you acronym lovers) at the Ridgetown campus of the University of Guelph - this is a demonstration centre for on-farm renewable energy technologies.

The amount of activity that is occuring in renewable and sustainable energies and industries can be overwhelming - but also invigorating as agriculture in particular leads the way as a provider of sustainable energy as well as other products that support our lifestyle and the environment.

Do you have an organization that you think is working for future agricultural business opportunities in conservation and renewable energy - please share.

Is New Thinking Required for Ethanol?

I've had a connection to ethanol for almost twenty years now, starting in the chemical industry when I was managing a solvent portfolio for a large national distributor. Even then I questioned the benefit to farmers. At that time we could not use corn based ethanol for chemical applications as the spec did not match the purity of petroleum based ethanol.

Although that may have changed - I still question whether ethanol is a good potential market for farmers, due to the fact that petroleum producers seem to be leading development. Do they have the motivation to find solutions for sustainable fuels and the environment when much of their business revolves around traditional petroleum production?

What do you think?

Creating a Renewable Energy & Conservation Information Network for Farmers

At the Canadian Farm Business Management Council, we like to find and work with others committed to extending information and ideas that help farmers make successful business decisions around energy. Here is a web-site brought to you by the folks at the Canadian Federation of Agriculture that shares our vision at http://www.farm-energy.ca/

If you know others - please share.

Canadian International Farm Show Toronto

I went to the BIG show today and found that it was big - I guess it has been a few years since I've attended. After I got over the size part I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of exhibitors in energy. Several were offering opportunities to conserve and produce energy together - which makes sense to me. Here are a couple of web-sites from exhibitors that impressed me and seemed to have alot of interest from show attendees - http://www.cleave-energy.com/ and http://www.greenandcleandirect.com/

Stay tuned for more about the big show and feel free to add your two cents...

PEI Ripe for Renewable Energy

The governments of Prince Edward Island and Canada have announced an investment of almost $10 million in renewable energy (and hopefully conservation but details are scetchy) under Agri-Flexibility and Canada's Economic Action Plan.

See http://news.gc.ca/web/article/-eng.do?m=index&nid=509409 for more.

What is the potential for conservation and renewable energy for Islanders?

Those in the know - please comment!

RETScreen Clean Energy Project Analysis Software

RETScreen is provided and maintained by CanmetENERGY, a research centre of Natural Resources Canada. Their objectives focus on providing decision making tools, information transfer and training - all to reduce costs, and facilitate successful decision making for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. I've heard this tool referenced several times in the last few years. I'm on the look-out to relate actual experience in a future blog. If there is anyone out there willing to spend a few minutes relating their experience please comment.

Canadian Farm Business Management Council and Renewable Energy

The Canadian Farm Business Management Council are making it possible for me to blog about renewable energy and energy conservation. I'm thankful for that because of the learning, and challenge that it involves and because I have a passion for agriculture. The more I learn about renewable energy and conservation within the agri-food context, the more I see there is to learn.

I know the information, contacts, and resources we have developed can help Canadian Farmers interested in producing or conserving energy. So now we are working on ways to make that information accessible - a FarmEnergyOnline blog is born.

So thanks to the Council for making this possible - to learn more about The Canadian Farm Business Management Council go to www.farmcentre.com

If you have a great resources that you'd like to share please comment.

Why blog on conservation and renewable energy?

Why a blog on conservation and renewable energy? Over the past 3 years we have reviewed programs, done the analysis, networked with industry, attended conferences and meetings, read the research, produced a website...and though all this have seen the need to actively connect with Canadian farmers on the business of conservation and renewable energy. In future blogs you can expect to see:

• news from home and abroad


• program and resource information and analysis


• conference and meeting coverage


• opportunities and ideas exposed and


• reports on "lessons learned" from other farmers

We will present the highlights and let you decided if you wish to take it further.