With strong support from the Canadian government, several clean energy and biotechnology companies in British Columbia have become global leaders in converting biomass into fuel.
The global market for renewable energy derived from agricultural and forestry waste is currently estimated at approximately CAD 200 billion, while the global market for fuels derived from biomass energy is estimated at CAD 175 billion. In January of this year (2010), the Canadian federal government's Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) program awarded CAD 58 million to 16 green energy technology projects, including six British Columbia companies: Agrisoma Biosciences Inc., Automotive Fuel Cell Corp., Ballard Power Systems Inc., Exro Technologies Inc., HTEC Hydrogen Technology & Energy Corp., and Pulse Energy, Inc. These companies primarily focus on developing energy for electric vehicles and biomass technologies that add value to Canadian agriculture and forestry.
The BC Bioenergy Strategy, established by the British Columbia government in January 2008, sets future goals including: (1) 50% of the province’s renewable fuels will be biofuels by 2020; (2) more than 10 local programs that convert local biomass into fuels by 2020; (3) a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030; (4) increased production of biofuels, such as biodiesel; and (5) the establishment of the most advanced biomass facilities in Canada for converting waste into energy.
In 2008, the British Columbia government established the Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) fund with a total of CAD 25 million, and in the spring of 2009, an additional CAD 32.6 million was allocated, benefiting more than 200 British Columbia companies. For example, Ligol Innovations received a CAD 3.4 million grant from ICE to help test various waste wood products and expand its cellulosic ethanol manufacturing plant. It also received a CAD 1.18 million grant from the BC Bioenergy Network (BCBN) to enhance the company's collaboration with several British Columbia universities on research to commercialize cellulosic ethanol.
Canadian Bioenergy Corp., a company specializing in biodiesel sales located in the Vancouver area of British Columbia, is also in talks with Archer Daniels Midland Co. of Illinois, USA, to build a biodiesel production plant in Lloydminster, Alberta, Canada, which will refine biodiesel from canola oil. The plant is expected to have an annual production capacity of 26.5 million liters. LifeSciences BC predicts that British Columbia will become Silicon Valley for the renewable energy industry in 10 years.
–Source: Bureau of International Trade
