Ontario Provides C$7.5M for Two Biofuel Projects

5 July 2008

The Government of Ontario is providing C$7.5 million (US$7.4M) to support two biofuel projects.

Ontario is providing C$5 million to support the new Institute for Chemicals and Fuels from Alternative Resources at the University of Western Ontario’s (UWO) experimental field station. The institute, together with Agri-Therm Limited, is investigating pyrolysis as a process to turn agricultural byproducts into fuel and other chemicals, including organic insecticides, pesticides and fertilizers.

The goal of the facility is to quickly move next generation biofuel research from the lab benches to a large demonstration project.

A spin-off of the University of Western Ontario faculty of Engineering, Agri-Therm is the maker of a patented, portable pyrolysis unit, which is being demonstrated to potential clients this summer. 

The remaining C$2.5 million will support collaboration between UWO, the University of Guelph, the University of Waterloo and Stanton Farms to complete a new biogas facility at the Stanton farm in Ilderton, Ontario. The facility will house a biodigester system that will turn manure and waste water into energy, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and odour. The initial energy production capacity is expected to be enough to power almost a third of the homes in Ilderton.