Renewable Agri-energy Initiative
The Renewable Agri-energy Initiative (RAI) is an industry-driven initiative that operates within ARDCorp as part of its long-term sustainable energy vision for B.C.’s agricultural sector.
Renewable agri-energy refers to renewable energy that is produced on parcels of land wholly/partially classified as farmland, or that utilizes significant proportions of agricultural and agri-food inputs (e.g., crop residues, livestock manure, food processing waste).
Renewable agri-energy production can contribute towards the agricultural sector’s economic viability, longer-term self-sufficiency and environmental sustainability by helping to:
- Combat rising energy prices;
- Reduce negative environmental impacts;
- Provide rural employment, and
- Improve organic waste management.
The RAI’s mission is to:
‘Raise renewable agri-energy awareness and facilitate renewable agri-energy production through project management and support’.
Strategic Goals
- Increase awareness and understanding of renewable agri-energy production opportunities;
- Support and facilitate development and distribution of critical renewable agri-energy information;
- Directly support and facilitate construction of renewable agri-energy demonstration projects;
- Improve the economic feasibility of renewable agri-energy production;
- Provide support to facilitate effective renewable agri-energy policy and program formulation; and
- Facilitate improvement of renewable agri-energy regulatory processes and permitting procedures.
Technology Focus Areas
Supportive of all renewable agri-energy technologies, the RAI will focus the majority of its efforts on facilitating adoption of the following technologies:
Anaerobic digestion: A naturally occurring biological process that involves the decomposition of organic matter, such as livestock manure and food processing waste, in an airtight oxygen-free vessel. During this process, bacteria breakdown the organic matter to produce a methane-rich-gas (biogas). Biogas can be combusted to produce heat, electricity, or upgraded to a natural gas substitute.
Biomass-boilers: The combustion of sustainable biomass in a furnace to produce heat and/or electricity.
Gasification: A thermal upgrading process involving the partial combustion of biomass with a controlled amount of air and/or steam. During this process, the majority of the carbon in the biomass is converted into a gaseous form (syngas). Syngas can be combusted to produce heat and/or electricity.
Small-scale wind: Generators that utilize wind energy to produce electricity. The number and size of the generators should be in proportion to the traditional agricultural operations of the host site.
Solar water/air heating: Use of solar thermal energy to directly heat liquids or air.
Contact Info:
Matt Dickson (Program Manager)
Tel: (604) 565 9227
Funding for the RAI provided by:
