Oilseed Biofuel

[TOM4CWB]

Charlie,

Has any research been done on higher yeild biofuel oilseeds. Hydrogen content for CO2 yeild from the combustion process is also key to reducing CO2 emissions.

Is there a Ab Ag of SK or MB Ag team working on this information?

Mr. Toma of ACPC told me the EU is striving to get 30% of fuel from oilseed in the not too distant future... and is wondering which crops to kick out to grow the fuel to apply to Kyoto.

WHy since Canada is so far behind in Kyoto implementation aren't we doing the same?

[charliep]

Bio fuels is one of Alberta Agricultures research areas. See below for a description of the research location. Not much on bio diesel in the this stuff but are definitely looking at more research activitiy.

http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/cait5013?opendocument

It is amazing the amount of information on bio diesel you can get if you do a google search.

[ward.toma]

Hello
Apologies in advance, this is a long post)

There is quite a lot of activity in bio-fuels and oilseed development. The leaders in Canada are the folks at AAFC Saskatoon, namely Dr. Reany (although he has since moved to the U of S). Interestly the highest volume producer of oilseed for a fuel was chokecherry. The seed is 40% oil and the plant increases volume of production every year for over 20 years.

However, canola oil produciton for bio-diesel use in the EU are high yielding winter types. There are multiple subsidies in the EU to encourage bio-diesel use and oilseed production. As it tends to cost more to produce, it gets a tax break at the pump so consumers are encouraged to use it. Farmers get a direct payment to grow it. This is being done to help meet the EU's Kyoto committments. And as the public made the request for the committment to reduce greehhouse gases in the EU, the public is picking up the costs.

This is somewhat different than the US, which views bio-fuels as a strategic energy supply issue and public support to farmers. The Bio-diesel plants in the US are getting a subsidy at the point of blending in order to make it competitive at the pump. The farmers get the subsidy through the farm bill.

This is not to say some of the US state subsidies are not aimed at greenhouse gas reduction. While the US did not sign into Kyoto, many US states have greenhouse gas mitigation programs in place that exceed Kyoto.

The Canadian canola industry is involved in the promotion of bio-diesel through the Canadian Biodiesel Advocate (CBA). The CBA is an organization dedicated to promote the development of the biodiesel industry in Canada through efforts to educate and create awareness of biodiesel’s benefits for commercial vehicle and diesel engine use. The Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA) is a member of the CBA. Essentially we are working to make sure the government does not get in the way of bio-diesel development when it becomes economically vialble. It is not our policy to develop an industry based on subsidies, like the US, but like the EU, if society wishes to have certain things accomplished that are not economically vialble, then society should pay.

At current diesel prices and canola seed prices bio-diesel production might be viable. At $250/tonne seed price, that canola oil is worth about 55 cents per litre. Diesel at the pump is about 85, so there is probably room now in these market conditions. I have recieved several inquries by prospective developers looking to set up operations in Alberta.

I have copied some information below about upcoming events and resource availablity for those that are interested.
__________

AB Biodiesel 101 Workshop

http://www.climatechangecentral.com/fleetchallenge/workshops.html or

www.fleetchallenge.ca

September 28, 2005

8:00 am – 4:00 pm

Calgary, AB
For member information contact:

Christine Wright cwright@fleetchallenge.ca
1 (416) 789-4736



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Order information can be obtained from Mr. Mittelbach at email Mittelbach_biodiesel@gmx.at

While I know Mr. Jackson will be at one of the ACPC regional meetings this fall, I encourage all Alberta canola producers to come out and talk about these things. The meetings times and locations are at http://www.canola.ab.ca.

Ward Toma
General Manager
Alberta Canola Producers Commission
ward.toma@canola.ab.ca

[melvill]

I was at a biodiesel info (sales) session yesterday in Lethbridge sponsored by Ab Ag Econ Assn (a little plug there) and resourced by Kelsey Prenevost and John Koliaska of Kyoto Fuels. Kyoto Fuels is planning on having a biodiesel plant up and running in Lethbridge by mid 2006. They are planning to use tallow initially since it a saturated fat. Saturated fats have the benefit of having lower nitrous oxides emissions at combustion. Plus they claim that tallow is a much cheaper input than oilseed oil.

See their website at www.kyotofuels.com.