Opportunities in biofibre.

In the wake of global warming, millions of research dollars are being invested to produce "greener" renewable energy. Biomass is one of the sources being studied to produce bioenergy, biofuel and bioproducts.

Currently, almost six per cent of the total energy consumed in Canada is produced from biomass sources with the majority of this production in the pulp and paper industries, which use their own residues to produce process steam and electricity, states the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) website.

Biomass is any organic matter available on a renewable or recurring basis. It has been divided into three categories: forest biomass, agricultural biomass and municipal solid wastes.

In Northern Ontario, the use of forest biomass to generate some form of energy appears to be drawing more attention, particularly as fossil fuel prices escalate. Forest biomass is all organic material above and below ground in a forest ecosystem. At a time when many forest, and pulp and paper industries are suffering from high energy operating costs, forest biofibre has the potential for solving some of those energy problems, say Larry Skinkle, forest biomass co-ordinator for the MNR.

As of March 27,2007, an Environmental Bill of Rights (EBR) proposal on the allocation and use of forest biofibre in Ontario's forests has been posted on the MNR website for public comment until July 25, 2007. With growing concerns of climate change and the use of nonrenewable fossil fuels contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and global warming, the government has drafted this policy to assist in addressing these environmental issues.

Forest biofibre refers to forest resources from Crown forests not normally utilized for conventional forest products and are made available under an approved forest management plan, according to the EBR proposal. These include tree tops, cull trees or portions of trees, individual and stands of unmerchantable and unmarketable trees. It does not apply to residual by-products like wood shavings, sawdust, bark or woodchips produced during mill operations.

Presently, the tops and limbs called "slash," are not readily utilized in a full tree harvest operation. They are left at the side of the road, piled and burned so they don't take up large areas that cannot be regenerated, says Skinkle. A full-tree harvest leaves approximately 15 to 25 tons per hectare and cut-to-length harvest leaves 30 to 50 t/h, according to the EBR policy site. However, regardless of the harvest method, officials anticipate about 15 to 25 t/h of slash will be left for utilization.

The MNR sees forest biofibre as an opportunity for Ontario to use this supply to replace non-renewable inputs for the production of biomaterials, bioenergy, and biopharmaceuticals and other bioproducts.

Allocation of forest biofibre will be performed in accordance with the sustainable forest license (SFL) holder under the forest management plan. The SFL holder has the right to harvest and utilize all species of trees on their licensed area from Crown forest, says Skinkle, which means they have the right to all parts of the tree. He adds that included in the license are conditions or commitments to supply a number of mills. Anything left over above and beyond the terms met in the license can be utilized by the SFL holder. This can be a business to business arrangement with another interested party. Allocation of any further surplus of forest resources is at the discretion of the minister.

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Skinkle says the forest sector competitiveness secretariat is working with forest industry and the mill companies that are looking at cogeneration, in conjunction with the Ministry of Energy to help with competitive energy programs. Since the infrastructure, organization and planning is all in place, he sees it has an opportunity to utilize and improve that aspect of the business.

Although forest biomass is a plentiful and suitable form of biomass in Northern Ontario, there is a plethora of research and development programs occurring on all forms of biomass throughout the province.

"Depending on where you are, it is (about) taking advantage of what we have to work with already that will determine the best feedstock to produce energy."

By ADELLE LARMOUR

For Northern Ontario Business