News at REAP-Canada

2012 REAP-Canada AGM

2012-01-03T14:11:00.008-05:00

REAP-Canada's Annual General Meeting (AGM)
Sunday, January 29th, 2012, 1:00pm – 2:00pm
@ Guelph Organic Conference, University of Guelph, UC 335

Come meet the staff behind REAP-Canada and learn about the exciting projects we have been working on over the last year. This event is open to all REAP members. Non-members may purchase a REAP-Canada annual individual or organizational membership for $25 or $100 respectively either online or at the event (http://www.reap-canada.com/store.htm).

Also, prior to the AGM at 11:45 am, in the same room (UC335), REAP-Canada will host an 'International Networking' - open to all organizations and/or individuals who have a interest in agriculture + international development. We look forward to seeing you there!

REAP MTS video demonstrates the grass fuel option

2012-01-03T10:34:00.008-05:00

REAP-Canada recently created a short video that demonstrates the Mayon Turbo Stove efficiently burning chopped grass. Perennial grasses are abundant in many fuel-deficit regions in the world and could be used as an alternative fuel source to agricultural waste and wood. Check out the video below! (both English and French versions available)

[English] The grass fuel option for household cookstoves
[French] Herbe comme combustible renouvlable pour poêles domestiques

REAP-Canada Hosts Chinese Delegation

2011-11-18T11:22:00.008-05:00

Fifteen delegates from the China Alliance for Clean Stoves (CACS) joined up with four REAP-Canada staff to tour various facilities in Southern Ontario this week. Sites on the two-day itinerary included: Hills Pelletworks in Chatsworth, Ontario; The Fyre Place and Patio Shop in Owen Sound; Nott Farms Ltd./Switch Energy Corporation in Clinton, Ontario; Fleming Feed Mill, Clinton, Ontario, and a lecture from Crispin Pembertonn-Pigett from New Dawn Engineering on small-scale pellet stoves. Overall, the tour was very successful. To read more about the CACS, visit their website.

Roger Samson: Feature Speaker at Upcoming Biomass Conference

2011-11-01T11:34:00.004-04:00

Roger Samson will be a feature speaker at an upcoming conference called 'Harnessing Biomass: Support for Northern Ontario Bioeconomy Initiative" in North Bay, ON. His presentation will be on growing herbaceous biomass crops for fiber and energy markets in the afternoon on Tuesday November 22, 2011.

Workshop/Registration Details:

HARNESSING BIOMASS II: Support for Northern Ontario Bioeconomy Initiatives
Clarion Resort
Pinewood Park, North Bay, ON
November 22 & 23, 2011
Cost is $50 per day and includes coffee, lunch and workshop materials.
For more information please visit: www.biomassinnovation.ca/resources.html

AEV highlighted on CKUT Radio

2011-10-21T11:40:00.000-04:00

On October 18, 2011, Erik Delaquis participated in a radio interview for CKUT’s program called ‘Health on Earth’. The episode explores the linkages between food security, health and community development. Erik spoke specifically about REAP's Agroecological Village (AEV) approach and how it addresses food security in Gambia and Senegal. The program also featured an interview with Mr. Daniel Gustafason, the director of the Liaison Office at the FAO, and Dr. Festus Murithi, the assistant director of the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute. Click here to listen to the archived episode.

MAPAQ Project Presentation by Erik Delaquis: Switchgrass in Quebec

2011-09-16T10:34:00.005-04:00

In 2010, REAP-Canada partnered up with McGill Univesity for a MAPAQ funded project entitled "Improving switchgrass biomass yield and quality". The project aims to assess switchgrass and big bluestem cultivar yield performance in Quebec and to examine the impact of soil quality on biomass fuel quality. Erik Delaquis, a REAP-Canada research associate and current MSc student at McGill University, recently gave a presentation to MAPAQ on the current status of the project. To view this presentation in English [click here] or en Francais [cliquez ici].

'Tales from Green REAPers' Intern Blog Launched!

2011-09-06T12:58:00.009-04:00

We are very proud to announce the launching of the REAP-Canada intern blog. Thanks to our current IYIP intern extraordinaire, Danielle Denis-Lalonde, the blog is up and running and ready for public viewing! This blog is an ongoing collection of articles submitted by past and present REAP-Canada interns ("Green REAPers") each of whom have spent up to 6 months working on ecological agriculture and renewable energy projects in developing countries. The principal goal of this site is to share these narratives and in doing so, promote public awareness and knowledge of the experiences of Canadians in international development. On the blog, you'll find their tales of challenges and triumphs as they immerse themselves into the local communities and culture.

REAP-Canada awarded grant by Stoneyfield's Profit for the Planet:

2011-06-06T15:31:00.003-04:00

REAP-Canada was recently amongst only five 2011 grant recipients of Stonyfield Organic "Profit for the Planet" Initiative with our project "Native Perennial Grasses: New Crops for Organic Farming in the Northeast". For this project, REAP will develop six new lines of switchgrass and big bluestem with improved adaptability and seedling vigour and promote it's use as both an organic animal bedding and for commercial energy applications like greenhouse heating. To read Stonyfield's press release, click here.

Un vrai rencontre Sénégalaise!

2011-03-03T18:59:00.011-05:00

From left to right: Margaret Graves (REAP-Canada Intern), Abdoul Aziz Gueye (Director, Senegal Government Tourist Office), Brenna Walsh (Friend of REAP) and Mariam Sy Diawara (President, Maison de l'Afrique)

This past Friday, REAP-Canada was represented at Maison de l’Afrique-Mandingo’s Senegalese week in Montreal.

Maison de l’Afrique is a cultural space that specializes in all things African! They focus on facilitating communication and sharing among the African community and the Québécois society of which they are a part, using workshops, art shows and other media. Maison de l’Afrique also supports new immigrants, tourism to a broad range of African countries, and the NGO community working in Africa. Since REAP has been working in Senegal for more than two years now, it was a good opportunity to revisit Senegalese culture and network with others interested in the country’s wellbeing.

At “Rencontres Québec-Sénégal”, there was Senegalese food and drink, networking/ engagement time for NGO’s working in Senegal, Senegalese music (even a chance to sing along!), and an inspiring presentation about cycling in Senegal. Other organizations in attendance were Caravane and Mer et Monde. The festivities continued the following, and final day of Senegal week, with dancing, drumming and yet more Senegalese food.

If this is any indication of the quality of Maison de l’Afrique’s events, they are certainly worth attending, and we hope that another Senegalese week will be on the near horizon.

Environment Canada Commissions Report: Review of the Effects of Energy Crops in Canada on Water Use and Quality

2011-03-03T17:48:00.001-05:00

REAP-Canada staff have been working hard on a report for Environment Canada. The report uncovered some crucial findings, including the potential of some biomass energy crops to deplete groundwater reserves. “Hydrologically effective rainfall” is a key concept in the review, aiming to find out how much rain actually gets past the canopy and root systems of the crop to successfully recharge groundwater. The review also calls into question the reported yields in some research papers which have been based on small-plot trials. Crops in small plots can gain extra water from the surrounding, crop-free areas, an advantage that large acreages lack. Stay tuned for the full-text version of the review!

2011-02-28T15:11:00.009-05:00

Each year, REAP-Canada offers young Canadians an opportunity to gain exposure in the fields of sustainable agriculture, renewable energy and international development through the Canadian International Development Agency's (CIDA) International Youth Internship Program (IYIP). The IYIP program officially started for REAP in April 2010 and is expected to go until March 2013. So far, 10 outstanding interns have joined the REAP-Canada team and have made lasting contributions in Canada and overseas.

Here are our first four interns: Leanne Robinson, Catherine Bourgault, Margaret Graves and Eileen Jones. In the above picture, Catherine, Leanne and Eileen pose with REAP's executive director Roger Samson. Below, they are enjoying Christmas in Senegal! These four remarkable ladies have successfully completed their internships. Over the course of their internships, they each made significant lasting contributions to our ongoing efforts in designing and distributing sustainable household stoves, in farmer-t0-farmer trainings on topics such as organic soil fertility and pest management, an also on staff computer literacy training!

Roger Samson chosen as Canadian Expert Resource for UNDP initiative!

2011-02-28T14:39:00.004-05:00

REAP-Canada's executive director, Roger Samson, was chosen as a Canadian Expert Resource for the UNDP's Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) program in Southern Sudan. The DDR program is an integral part of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the Government of Sudan and the Government of southern Sudan. To find out more about the UNDP's DDR program, visit: http://www.sd.undp.org/projects/cp4.htm

This past fall, 2010, Roger Samson traveled to southern Sudan as part of a team of sectoral experts. The objective is to create linkages with sustainable economic recovery activities and generate innovative options for up-scaling or broadening agri-based options for ex-combatants and women associated with armed forces choosing agriculture as their reintegration option. Southern Sudan remains a predominantly agrarian-based economy. As such, it is expected that a significant portion on participants in the reintegration program will select agriculture, agri-business or livestock options for their reintegration packages.

Over the next eighteen months, Mr. Samson will provide technical advice and training to the implementing partners on the delivery of economic reintegration support in the agriculture sector. The three main activities will be: capacity building on project implementation and management; adaptation and refinement of start up kit content; and, the development of a comprehensive farmer training program.

REAP-Canada Participates in a Dynamic Biomass Discussion

2011-02-16T17:35:00.015-05:00

On Thursday January 27th, 2011, Roger Samson was the guest speaker at the First Annual General Meeting of the Ontario Biomass Producers Group (OBPG), held at the lovely Mohawk Inn in Campbellville, Ontario.

The presentation highlighted the emerging fibre market for warm-season grasses and the barriers in place against the further development of the biomass energy sector. Mr. Samson’s well-received presentation followed introductory comments by Urs Eggimann of Eggimann Consulting Inc.

Another presenter, Don Nott, gave a producer’s angle on growing biomass crops. Mr. Nott had some very exciting news for the group, which ended the meeting on a high note!

The evening was a successful REAP-Canada outing, fitting in nicely en route to the 30th Annual Guelph Organic Conference.

Organic Meadow and REAP-Canada: Solidarity Visit to Gain Ground in the Gambia and Senegal

2011-02-07T17:00:00.000-05:00

At the most beautiful vista in the country, overlooking the River Gambia, the Organic Meadow crew: Maria Biemond, Shelly Juurlink, Peter Biemond, and Anita Tucker, with REAP-Canada intern Margaret Graves, GGIGS Livestock Officer Abdoulie Loum, NATC driver Mamoud Panneh, GGIGS Project Officer Sulayman Darboe, GGIGS Community Organizers Hadijatou and Baboucarr Ceesay, and other AVISU staff members.

For two weeks in September, Organic Meadow Co-operative farmers visited the Gambia to learn from and support farmers in the West African country. Peter and Maria Biemond, Linton McCoy and Shelly Juurlink represented Organic Meadow, and Anita Tucker, a Research Associate in Animal Science at the University of Guelph, came along to offer her expertise. The project was spearheaded by Ms. Juurlink, who, as a former REAP intern, and an active contributor to REAP, has a lasting commitment to the Gambian situation.

Upon arrival, the group were fortunate to experience some traditional Gambian music, the beautiful beach at Bijilo, and indispensible language and cultural training from Baboucarr Jallow, REAP’s regular Wolof-language trainer.

Once moving upcountry, they welcomed by REAP’s long-time Gambian partner, the Njawara Agricultural Training Centre (NATC), using the Centre as a base for 10 days. A few projects of interest were investigated, including REAP’s Gaining Ground in Gambia and Senegal (GGIGS), Concern Universal’s Gambia is Good (GIG), and a Senegalese women’s dairy cooperative.

The focus of the trip, however, was to encourage dialogue among the farmers – Canadian and Gambian. With this purpose in mind, tours and village meetings were organized in various places along the North Bank of the Gambia, including a visit to another of REAP’s partners, Agency for Village Support (AVISU), in the village of Kaur.

After a lively sendoff from Njawara, it was back to the city, as the Gambia’s National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) took on hosting duties, and the Canadians had a brisk tour of the more developed agricultural endeavors of the Kombo area.

It was an activity-intensive trip with plenty of food for thought. The farmers had an essential few days of downtime on the beach after returning to the coast, to digest, brainstorm and debate. And relax, of course!

REAP would like to thank the Organic Meadow group for their support and input. Peter, Maria and Linton also participated in REAP’s Development & Food Security workshop at the Guelph Organic Conference at the end of January, offering them another chance to share what they learned while overseas – and in the “re-entry period” since returning to Canada.

REAP-Canada's Annual General Meeting (AGM)

2011-01-25T13:49:00.000-05:00

January 30th, 2010 1:00pm – 2:00pm at the Guelph Organic Conference
University of Guelph, UC 334

Come meet the staff behind REAP-Canada and learn about the exciting projects we have been working on over the last year.

This event is open to all REAP members. Non-members may purchase a REAP-Canada annual individual or organizational membership for $25 or $100 respectively either online or at the event (http://www.reap-canada.com/store.htm).

We look forward to seeing you this week!

REAP-Canada Highlighted in two New Articles

2009-06-02T16:26:00.003-04:00

Roger Samson and REAP Canada was recently featured in a commentary for The Bioscience Resource Project. The article entitled "The Real Burning Question: Are Liquid Fuels the Best USe of Non-Woody Biomass" discusses the issues surrounding the use of non-woody biomass for liquid biofuels and how liquid biofuels is not be the best use of this type of resource.

Similarly Farmcentre.com published "Renewable Energy and Green Heat" a summary on switchgrass pellets and their use for thermal heating as well as greenhouse gas offsetting benifits.

Biopellet Plant Possibility in Eastern Ontario

2009-05-08T09:42:00.003-04:00

An article published in the Cornwall Standard-Freehold highlights work REAP-Canada prepared for Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Communities Future Development Corporation to assess the possibility of establishing a warm season grass pellet industry in Eastern Ontario.

Canadian Bio Pellet Inc. in Ingleside, the Forman family, James de Pater of Hendrick Seeds and Glen Swerdfiger of DES Environmental are planning to build a mill to turn switchgrass and other organic products into biological pellets fit to be burned for energy production by the fall. The company will be called Switchgreen. The full article is available online here.

Roger Samson: Feature Speaker at Growing Grass for Fuel Pellets Workshop

2009-04-17T12:13:00.004-04:00

Roger Samson will be a feature speaker at an upcoming workshop in Nova Scotia on growing energy grasses for fuel pellets. The one day event will outline plans for a strong and healthy grass pellet fuel industry in Nova Scotia, and will offer information on production, and combustion.

Workshop/Registration Details
Growing Grass for Fuel Pellets
Thursday April, 23rd 2009-10am-3pm
Holiday Inn, Prince Street., Truro NS

Registration: (902)-896-0277 or by email r.hutchinson at agrapoint dot ca

Roger Samson: Speaker at International Energy Farming Conference

2009-04-17T11:06:00.005-04:00

Roger Samson, Executive Director of REAP-Canada was invited to speak at the International Energy Farming Conference in Papenburg, Germany held on March 10-12, 2009.

This was the third congress and addressed the challenges around the need for action with regard to the implementation of climate protection objectives and concerning increasing demands
on the use of raw materials and energy. One of the objectives of the Energy Farming Congress was to present and discuss possible solutions through sustainably produced biomass and efficient bio-energy technology.

Roger gave a presentation on "Developing energy crops for thermal applications: Optimizing fuel quality, energy security and GHG mitigation". The presentation was based on a recent publication from Springer Science.

***
The full reference for the publication is: Samson R., C. Ho Lem, S. Bailey-Stamler, and J. Dooper. 2008. Chapter 16 “Developing Energy Crops for Thermal Applications: Optimizing Fuel Quality, Energy Security and GHG Mitigation.” 52pp. In D. Pimentel (ed.) Biofuels, Solar and Wind as Renewable Energy Systems: Benefits and Risks. Springer Science, Berlin, Germany.

This book is available from Springer Publishers or online at http://www.amazon.com/Biofuels-Solar-Renewable-Energy-Systems/dp/1402086539

Farm Co-operative for Switchgrass Growers

2009-04-16T13:16:00.008-04:00

A recent article in Small Farm Canada magazine by Steven Biggs describes a pelletizing plant being built in St. Armand by Bio-Combustible International Inc. The article highlights the work done by REAP-Canada and the potential of switchgrass as a feedstock for pellet fuel.

CBC Maritime Noon Interview-They call it "Energy Grass"

2009-04-16T13:02:00.004-04:00

REAP Canada was an invited speaker at this years Annual PEI Soil and Crop Improvement Meeting in Charlottetown this past February. Stephanie Bailey Stamler gave a seminar on "Growing Bioenergy Opportunities in Canada" where she discussed growing energy grasses, in particular switchgrass for bioenergy. She was interviewed for CBC radio's Maritime Noon program by Maggie Brown. To listen to the interview click here.

Alternatives Journal Publication-Better Bioenergy

2009-04-16T12:33:00.008-04:00

REAP-Canada has a featured article in the latest edition of the Alternative Journal entitled "Better Bioenergy". The article analyzed how effective current bioenergy polices are in Canada and if there is a better way forward. The study found that to be effective, Canada's bioenergy policies need to consider the full lifecycle environmental and economic performance of various technologies. A more effective policy would be for Canada to implemented a policy parity, where different bioenergy options were be subsidized based on their environmental and economic performance. This would move Canada beyond the food-vs-fuel debate, paving the way for the best bioenergy options to emerge.

Stephanie Bailey Stamler, a co-author on the study, was interviewed for the Alternative Journal's monthly Podcast where she discussed the findings of the article. To hear the podcast click here.

For further information on the article click here.

Great Lakes Grass Energy Symposium Final Program

2009-01-19T10:32:00.002-05:00

January 22nd, 2009 1:00pm-5:00pm UC103 at the Guelph Organic Conference:

The speakers for our upcoming symposium have been finalized. There is still time to register for this exciting educational exchange on the grass energy industry. The symposium will begin with presentations from grass energy specialists covering grass production, harvest, densification and combustion. The day will end with updates from energy grass growers and a wonderful opportunity for question and answers.

Featured Speakers:
1:05-1:35 Dr. Paul Salon- Plant Materials Center USDA NRCS, Big Flats NY
1:35-2:05 Mr. Roger Samson-Executive Director, REAP-Canada, Montreal QC
2:05-2:35 Dr. Martin Roberge- Project Engineer, Case New Holland, Saskatoon SK
2:35-3:05 Dr. Fernando Preto- CanmetENERGY, NRCAN, Ottawa ON
3:05-3:20 Coffee Break
3:20-3:45 Mr. Rick Minke-Ekofuel Technologies, Walkerton, ON

Grower Experience Exchange Panel
3:45-4:00 Calvin Ernst- Founder, Ernst Conservation Seeds, Meadville PA
4:00-4:15 Don Nott- Nott Farms, Clinton ON
4:15-4:30 Ingrid Marini- Rural Association for Clean Energy, St. Armand QC
4:30-5:00 Question Period

Registration is online or at the door (www.guelphorganicconf.ca/thursday09.html).

REAP-Canada's Annual General Meeting

2009-01-19T10:19:00.002-05:00

January 22nd, 2009 9:15am-12:15pm at the Guelph Organic Conference
University of Guelph (Rm UC103)

Come meet the staff behind REAP-Canada and learn about the exciting projects we have been working on over the last year.

In conjunction with the AGM we are please to host a roundtable discussion on growing energy grasses for the bioheat Industry. Participants will include speakers from our afternoon "Great Lakes Energy Grass Symposium", REAP Board Members and Staff.

This event is open to all REAP members. Non-members may purchase a REAP-Canada annual individual or organizational membership for $25 or $100 respectively either online or at the event (http://www.reap-canada.com/store.htm).

We look forward to seeing you this week!

REAP-Canada Presents: The Great Lakes Grass Energy Symposium

2008-12-08T17:41:00.001-05:00

Thursday January 22nd, 2009, 1:00pm – 5:00pm at the Guelph Organic Conference

Getting Back to the Basics
This symposium will feature leading technical specialists and farmers from the Great Lakes region who are developing warm season grasses for energy. Specific topics to be covered by leading invited experts from New York, Ontario Pennsylvania, and Quebec who will discuss:

Best management practices for establishing native grasses
Available native grass cultivars and potential to improve yield through
breeding
Recent technology developments for improving mowing and baling of energy
grasses
Creating biomass quality in grasses to ensure high quality combustion
Experiences with low cost briquetting of switchgrass and burning warm season grasses in commercial boilers.

Guest speaker panel:
*Daniel Arnett- Biomass Coordinator, Ernst Conservation Seeds, Meadville PA
*Dr. Fernando Preto & Irene Coyle- CANMET Energy Technology Centre, NRCAN, Ottawa ON
*Dr. Martin Roberge- Project Engineer, Case New Holland, Saskatoon SK
*Dr. Paul Salon- Plant Materials Center USDA NRCS, Big Flats NY
*Roger Samson- Executive Director, REAP-Canada, Montreal QC

Farmer Experience Exchange:
A grower panel will report on their personal experiences, challenges and opportunities in growing energy grasses. This will be a unique opportunity to learn the current status of the emerging Great Lakes grass energy industry in a focused symposium.

Growers Panel:
*Calvin Ernst- Founder, Ernst Conservation Seeds, Meadville PA
*Ingrid Marini- Rural Association for Clean Energy, St. Armand QC
*Don Nott- Nott Farms, Clinton ON

Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to stay up to date on energy grass technological advances and to network with farmers, bioenergy project developers, industry and government.

For more information and to register, click here: http://www.guelphorganicconf.ca/thursday09.html

Roger Samson: Keynote Speaker at the Energy Grass Symposium-Building a Viable Grass Energy Economy

2008-12-08T16:31:00.004-05:00

Roger Samson recently attended the Energy Grass Symposium in Vermont on November 12^th, 2008. He gave the keynote address entitled: Building a Viable Grass Energy Economy.

To view Roger Samson’s presentation, click here: http://www.vsjf.org/biofuels/documents/SampsonGrassEnergyPresentation111208.pdf

To read about the symposium, click here: http://www.vsjf.org/biofuels/Grass_Pellets.shtml

New Canadian biofuel technology 570% more efficient than corn ethanol in reducing greenhouse gases

2008-10-02T02:31:00.002-04:00

For Immediate Release

(Montreal, QC) -A study by Canadian and Dutch scientists just released in a book by Springer Publishers found that commercial second-generation solid biofuel technology has set a new Canadian benchmark in greenhouse gas (GHG) displacement. The solid biofuel technology using biomass from energy crops for heat energy developed by REAP-Canada reduces GHG’s by 7,600-13,100 kg CO2e /ha. By comparison soybean biodiesel and corn ethanol were found to reduce GHG’s by 900 and 1,500 kg CO2e/ha respectively.

“Solid biofuels produced from 2nd generation energy crops, such as switchgrass, effectively blow away liquid biofuels like corn ethanol as a serious greenhouse gas mitigation option” explained Roger Samson, Executive Director of REAP-Canada and lead author of the study.

REAP-Canada is calling on the federal and provincial governments to work jointly to implement a national solid biofuels GHG mitigation strategy. “Solid biofuels are 570% more efficient than liquid fuels in using farmland to mitigate GHG’s yet there are no subsidies in Canada for such technologies. In the race to reduce GHG’s, solid biofuels are the winning horse while liquid biofuels are a donkey” stated Samson.

The study also offers several recommendations on how energy from solid biofuels can be developed efficiently and equitably across Canada.

***
The full reference for the article is: Samson R., C. Ho Lem, S. Bailey-Stamler, and J. Dooper. 2008. Chapter 16 “Developing Energy Crops for Thermal Applications: Optimizing Fuel Quality, Energy Security and GHG Mitigation.” 52pp. In D. Pimentel (ed.) Biofuels, Solar and Wind as Renewable Energy Systems: Benefits and Risks. Springer Science, Berlin, Germany.

This book is available from Springer Publishers or online at http://www.amazon.com/Biofuels-Solar-Renewable-Energy-Systems/dp/1402086539

For more information:
Roger Samson (rsamson(at)reap-canada.com)
REAP-Canada
Box 125, Centennial Centre CCB13,
Ste Anne de Bellevue, Quebec, H9X 3V9
Tel. (514) 398-7743; www.reap-canada.com

Resource Efficient Agricultural Production (REAP)-Canada is a not-for-profit organization that focuses on sustainable biofuel systems development. A world leader in developing bioenergy for greenhouse gas mitigation and rural development, REAP-Canada provides services in bioenergy research, policy and market development. The agency has 17 years of experience in energy crop development, biomass resource assessments and bioenergy conversion technologies in industrialized and developing nations.

Biofuels should run on solar energy not on taxpayers dollars

2008-06-12T14:57:00.000-04:00

Published: Wednesday, June 11,2008 Montreal Gazette
Roger Samson, Freelance

The ability of plants to capture and store solar energy through photosynthesis holds great promise as a renewable energy solution for mankind.

However, agriculture must maintain its primary energy production role: creating nutritious food for the human body. Can we develop sustainable biofuels and ensure a continuous supply of fairly priced food for the people of the world?

Traditionally, agriculture has had a surplus production capacity. In fact, low farm commodity prices in the last several decades have even forced governments to set land aside. Now, however, the surplus production capacity of the agricultural sector is increasingly modest. This is especially true of cereal crops such as corn and wheat, which are staple foods for the majority of people around the world.

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization reported that last year there was a 4.6 per cent increase in cereal grain production. But because of higher demand for these cereals year-end global grain stocks decreased by 5 per cent.

At the same time a record 100 million tonnes of cereals were used last year as biofuels. If these grains hadn't been used to produce fuel, there would have been an increase in grain stocks of approximately 12 per cent.

So, why are cereals being so widely used for biofuel production? After all, it is well known that corn-based ethanol is not an efficient way to convert solar energy into fuel. Indeed, the energy balance of corn ethanol is barely positive, meaning that it takes almost as much energy to produce the fuel as is eventually created by it.

The truth is that ethanol runs on corporate lobbyists convincing governments to subsidize it with tax revenues. Meanwhile, other more sustainable biofuel options get no subsidies despite the fact they produce 700 per cent more net energy gain and carbon dioxide offsets than corn ethanol from each acre of farmland.

So, just how big are the corn ethanol subsidies? In Ontario (a net importer of U.S. corn), the combined provincial and federal subsidies last year were about 16.7 cents per litre of ethanol produced. This whopping incentive effectively creates a $64 per tonne subsidy for corporations to import U.S. corn to make ethanol in Ontario. And voila! Another driver of inflation on world cereal prices. Ontario taxpayers have deeper pockets than the poorest nations in the world and they are able to reach deeper into the world food basket to produce biofuels if they so desire.
This year, an additional 25 million tonnes of cereals will be taken out of the global food basket as taxpayer subsidies enable high-priced corn to be made into ethanol. Speculators are in their glory as they realize the U.S. will not have enough corn to meet the projected demand for ethanol, feed and traditional export markets. There is nothing they love more than a commodity shortage to drive up prices and so cereal grain prices have risen across the board.

Food inflation in the last year has subsequently increased by 4.5 per cent in the U.S., 6.9 per cent in Europe, 23 per cent in China, and 35 per cent in Sri Lanka. Not surprisingly, food crops for fuel are being vilified as a crime against humanity.

The first thing that can be done to make biofuels more sustainable is to use crops that more efficiently capture solar energy than cereal grains and oilseeds. The best options are energy crops that can do this on marginal farmlands. This would minimize conflict with the global food supply. Resource-efficient native perennial grasses like switchgrass are adapted to these lands and can produce 40 per cent more net energy gain per acre than corn.

We must also efficiently convert the biomass (captured solar energy) into a useful energy form. Scientists now understand that liquid fuels are the losers in the energy conversion game. It's much more energy efficient to produce biogas and fuel pellets from biomass to replace fossil fuels. In a race to create energy security and greenhouse gas abatement, whole plant biomass crops converted into pellets or biogas beat turning seed crops into liquid biofuels hands down.

So how can we create a policy framework to support sustainable biofuels? Well, it will only happen when the federal government gets out of the business of picking technology winners with taxpayer money and instead creates greater parity in the use of incentives to reward genuine climate-friendly technologies.

Adopting the proposed 1-2-3-4-5 renewable energy program would be a step forward. It stands for one national renewable energy-climate change program, $2 per gigajoule (a gigajoule (GJ) is a measure of energy) for green heat, $3 per GJ for biogas, $4 per GJ for green power and liquid biofuels, and the 5 stands for a required 50 per cent reduction in green house gases before the technology is eligible for the incentive.

The food vs. fuel crisis is not going to go away until countries like Canada reform our subsidies. These must support biofuel technologies that efficiently run on solar energy and use marginal farmland.

Roger Samson is executive director of Resource Efficient Agricultural Production-Canada.

REAP-Canada addresses Biofuels and Bill C-33

2008-03-17T01:04:00.001-04:00

On February 26, 2008, REAP-Canada addressed the House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture on Biofuels and Bill C-33.

To view the brief presented entitled: Analyzing BioFuel Options: Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Efficiency and Costs
click here
http://www.reap-canada.com/library/Bioenergy/AAFC_Standing_Committee_Briefing.pdf

To view minutes of the standing committee meeting, click here: http://cmte.parl.gc.ca/Content/HOC/committee/392/agri/evidence/ev3299494/agriev17-e.htm#T0935

CFBMC Agriwebinar Presentation by Roger Samson: Switchgrass for BioHeat in Canada

2008-02-06T00:48:00.001-05:00

Roger Samson recently did a live online presentation (agriwebinar) in cooperation with the Canadian Farm Business Management Council (CFBMC) entitled: Switchgrass for BioHeat in Canada

To view this presentation on-line, please follow these steps:
1. Visit www.agriwebinar.com and click on “past agriwebinars”
2. Enter your email address to login
3. Click on “VIDEO” for Roger Samson broadcast February 4, 2008

Thanks for watching!

Solid Biofuels Least Expensive Way to Cut GHGs: BIOCAP

2008-01-28T13:43:00.000-05:00

For Immediate Release January 23, 2008

(Kingston, ON) — The BIOCAP Canada Foundation released today a report “Analysing Ontario Biofuel Options” prepared by REAP-Canada showing that biomass pellets offer a more cost-effective way for government incentives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Ontario when compared to other renewable energy incentives in the province. The proposed solid biofuels incentive would outperform not only existing incentives for other types of bioenergy, but also those for wind and solar power.

David Layzell, President and CEO of BIOCAP, called the report’s findings striking. “This study demonstrates how an incentive program for the large-scale production and use of solid biofuels for commercial and industrial applications could be an effective and sustainable way to grow our economy. The use of biomass pellets – which can be produced from wood, switchgrass or straw – would not only create new market opportunities for the forest and agricultural industries, it would reduce dependence on coal as well as the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with coal use in Ontario.”

The study, authored by REAP-Canada with a contract and detailed input from BIOCAP, compared the cost of incentives for alternative energies such as wind, solar, biodiesel, corn ethanol and biomass pellets in contributing to energy needs of society ($ per gigajoule thermal or electrical energy) and in reducing GHG emissions ($ per tonne CO2 equivalent avoided).

The results showed that even a relatively small incentive for solid biofuel feedstocks of $4 per gigajoule of energy would offset greenhouse gas emissions at a cost of less than $50 per tonne CO2 – half the price of an offset from biodiesel, and 1/8th the price of an offset from corn ethanol. The $50 price tag also comes in slightly below that for wind power, which currently has the most cost-effective green energy incentive already available in the province of Ontario.

“This report debunks the myth that Ontario is unable to mitigate greenhouse gases affordably, clearly there are low cost solutions like biomass pellets, the urgent need is for policies to be strengthened to allow efficient technologies to emerge ” explained Roger Samson, the lead author on the report and Executive Director of REAP-Canada.

The study also offers several recommendations on how energy from solid biofuels can be developed efficiently and equitably.

The full report is available at http://www.biocap.ca/ and http://www.reap-canada.com/ (http://www.reap-canada.com/library.htm)

BIOCAP Canada is a national not-for-profit foundation that has spent the last ten years bringing together researchers, industry, government and NGOs to provide the insights and technologies necessary to develop a sustainable bioeconomy.

Resource Efficient Agricultural Production (REAP)-Canada is a not-for-profit organization that focuses on sustainable biofuel systems development. A world leader in developing bioenergy for greenhouse gas mitigation and rural development, REAP-Canada provides services in bioenergy research, policy and market development. The agency has 17 years of experience in energy crop development, biomass resource assessments and bioenergy conversion technologies in industrialized and developing nations.

REAP-Canada Seminar "BioEnergy Options for Ontario Farmers"

2008-01-16T21:57:00.000-05:00

REAP-Canada presents

BioEnergy Options for Ontario Farmers

Friday January 25th, 2008, 9:00am - Noon
2008 Guelph Organic Conference Workshop
Guelph University Centre, Guelph Ontario $45 at the door

This workshop offers discussions on the following topics:
Assessment of biofuel options for producing energy and mitigating GHG’s from Ontario farmland
A review of the emerging opportunities in producing bio-energy in Canada for farmers, focusing on the four primary options available: biodiesel, biogas, bioheat and ethanol. Each fuel will be evaluated for the following: bio-energy feedstock options and the latest production technologies; relative efficiency of conversion technologies; effectiveness of biofuel in mitigating GHG’s; and costs of biofuel incentive programs in Ontario (on a per GJ basis)

REAP-Canada speaker panel:
*Roger Samson, Claudia Ho Lem & Stephanie Bailey Stamler

Strategic opportunities for developing climate-friendly fuels from agriculture
Policy strategies need to be developed to more effectively apply incentives to encourage GHG abatement through creating a competitive bio-energy marketplace and focusing efforts on the CO2 abatement potential of each fuel.

Guest speaker panel:
* Keith Stuart – World Wildlife Fund
* Shannon Watt – Canadian Federation of Agriculture
* Jose Etcheverry – York University / David Suzuki Foundation
* Ingrid Marini – Rural Association for Clean Energy/Association rurale pour une énergie propre (RACE/AREP) * Mahendra Thimmanagari - Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) - Moderator

Register online at http://www.guelphorganicconf.ca/
For further details contact: (514) 398-7743

Introducing the new REAP-Canada BioHeat DVD Seminar Series!

2008-01-16T21:30:00.001-05:00

For $30 (plus shipping) you will receive 2DVD’s + bonus powerpoint CD

These DVD’s record the proceedings of the BioHeat: A GROWING AGRI-ENERGY OPPORTUNITY seminar held Thursday Jan 25th, 2007 in conjunction with the Guelph Organic Conference.

It is an excellent introduction for farmers, energy consumers, researchers and bio-energy project developers on the emerging “BioHeat” Industry

DVD1: Biomass Resource Options & Environmental Issues
•Roger Samson of REAP-Canada - “BioHeat 101”: Optimizing warm-season grass production for BioHeat
•Claudia Ho Lem and Stephanie Bailey of REAP-Canada – “Biodiversity and water quality benefits of perennial grasses and BioHeat potential to mitigate GHG emissions”

DVD2: Economics, Combustion & Densification
•Tom Adams of Energy Probe - “Can Renewables Score Goals with Energy Consumers? The economics’ of switching from conventional heating and BioHeat vs. fossil fuels in the Canadian economy”
•Fernando Preto of NRCAN – “Combustion technologies for residential and commercial heating and densification processes, pellet processing costs and processing of agri-fibre fuels”
•Don Nott of Nott Farms and the Greenhouse Panel including Jack Greydanus and Ken Tigchelaar - “Farmers experience with the emerging BioHeat industry”

DVD’s are now available for sale at www.reap-canada.com/store.htm

REAP-Canada Seminar List for Winter 2008

2008-01-16T21:07:00.000-05:00

January 24, 2008 - Toronto, Ontario (4-6pm)
Roger Samson: Creating Parity in Renewable Energy Policies in Ontario
University of Toronto Bioenergy Policy Speaker Presentation- Department of Political Science, Contact Mark Purdon for more information (647) 300-3990, mark_purdon(at)fastmail.fm

February 4, 2008 - Online Agriwebinar (12-1 pm)
Roger Samson: Switch grass for bio heat in Canada – Is it time to plant?
Agriwebinar Presentation, Canadian Farm Business Management Council (CFBMC) www.agriwebinar.com

February 7, 2008 - Toronto, Ontario
Stephanie Bailey Stamler: Growing Switchgrass in Ontario and its’ Potential as a Commercial Pellet Fuel
Agro-Biomass Workshops: Money from agricultural waste and energy crops and Fuelling and powering your farm with biomass, CANBIO and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture at the Canadian International Farm Equipment Show www.canbio.ca

April 2-5, 2008 - London, Ontario
Stephanie Bailey Stamler: Switchgrass as a Potential Commercial Pellet Fuel in Ontario - Delayed Harvest Study Results
Roger Samson: Assessment of Biofuel Options for Producing Energy from Ontario Farmland
OMAFRA Growing the Margins Conference: Energy, Bioproducts and Byproducts for Farm and Food Sectors Conference, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) www.gtmconf.ca

REAP-Canada 2008 Annual General Meeting (AGM)

2008-01-16T21:01:00.000-05:00

Please come to our 2008 AGM!

Saturday January 26, 2008 - Guelph, Ontario
12:00-1:30pm Room UC335
3rd Floor, University Centre, University of Guelph
Contact (514) 398-7743 for more information

REAP-Canada at the Civil Society meeting on the special theme of the 2007 Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting: Climate Change and Poverty Reduction

2007-10-04T14:47:00.000-04:00

REAP-Canada Climate Change Project Manager Stephanie Bailey Stamler was nominated by the Canadian Environmental Network to act as a delegate for the Civil Society meeting on the special theme of the 2007 Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting: Climate Change and Poverty Reduction in Georgetown, Guyana in July 2007. The three day discussion identified consensual commonwealth civil society priorities, issues and recommendations on developing an agenda for growth and livelihoods and a statement was developed for presentation to the Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting in September 2007. To see the statement developed from the consultation, click here.

“The Gambian Experience”- A Short film about Life in the Gambia by Carla Carpio

2007-08-22T15:34:00.000-04:00

Carla Carpio, 2003-2004 REAP-Canada International Intern has just completed a short film based on her experiences in the Gambia. Set to music byMass Lowe, The Gambian Experience vividly details the Gambian way of life including farming, religion, culture and people in the country.

To view The Gambian Experience, produced and directed by Carla Carpio, please click on the link below:
http://video.google.ca/videoplay?docid=5357060501446442053

Gaining Ground in Gambia - Fri Aug 10th!

2007-07-31T10:08:00.000-04:00

The Gambia, located on the west coast of Africa, is a country in need of help; the expansion of the Sahara Desert is leading to decreased soil fertility and dangerous droughts. On August 10, 2007, REAP-Canada will host a fundraising musical event to continue support of agricultural devlopment and soil conservation projects in the country. All proceeds from the evening will go directly to the Gambian communities to assist them in developing sustainable farming practices. The fundraising target of $5000 from the event will go towards introducing Bokashi organic fertilizer production to 13 villages, income generation for the farmers, ecological farming and soil conservation trainings in each of the villages and the introduction of improved cooking appliances such as the Mayon Turbo Stove to reduce wood used for cooking. For more information on these and other efforts by REAP-Canada to make farming more sustainable, please visit www.reap-canada.com.

Join REAP-Canada at the Union Church in Ste Anne de Bellevue, 24 Maple Ave, 7:30 p.m. August 10th 2007. Admission is $10. For further information call 514-398-7743 or email info@reap-canada.com. Click here for directions. If you're unable to make it, please consider making a donation to Gaining Ground in Gambia (GGIG).

To get your tickets on-line or make a donation, just go to our website www.reap-canada.com and click on the Canada Helps icon. Enter GGIG in the message line and be sure to include your name and contact information. Thanks for your support and see you there!!!

Meet REAP-Canada’s 2007 New Summer Team!

2007-06-21T11:39:00.000-04:00

(From L - Right are): Andrea Hart, Jeroen Dooper, Sjoerd Mulder, Tori Ingram and Karen Clark

Tori Ingram and Karen Clark are REAP’s newest CIDA international interns, heading to Gambia at the end of the summer. Tori is currently completing her M.A. in Political Science from York University, specializing in global political economy and international development and also has a B.A.H. in Biology and International Development from Queen's University. Her previous development experience includes an internship with Global Service Corps as a bio-intensive agriculture (BIA) facilitator in Tanzania and four years working with QPID on sustainable development projects in Guyana, Bolivia, Nicaragua, Nunavut and West Africa. Karen is currently completing her M.Sc. in Soil and the Environment from Laval University and has a B.Sc. in Environmental Science from the University of Guelph. Her previous experience includes working as a research assistant for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and for the Animal Production and Manure Management Network at the University of Guelph.

Jeroen Dooper and Sjoerd Mulder are REAP’s International Research Associates from the Netherlands. Jeroen is currently pursuing an M.Sc degree in Sustainable Development, energy and resources at the Utrecht University and he has previous work experience at Econsultancy environmental consulting and the Avans University of Professional Education. Sjoerd is currently enrolled in the Agri-Systems Management course at Larenstein University of Professional Education, specializing in Rural Development and Innovation. He has had previous work experience in Greece, China and Canada working in agricultural, horticultural, herb and flower production.

Andrea Hart, REAP’s new Communications Officer holds a Bachelor of Arts with a major in English and minor in Communication from the University of Ottawa. She has previous experience working in the marketing department of a small business while independently investigating various aspects of the media.

Farm Show Magazine - Overwintered Switchgrass Makes Superior Pellet Fuel

2007-06-20T17:16:00.000-04:00

Volume 31 No. 3 Published May-June 2007 (page 25)

REAP-Canada 2007-2008 International Internships now available!

2007-04-04T18:18:00.000-04:00

2007-2008 Ecological Farming Systems Development Intern – The Gambia

Two international internship positions are now available, applications will be accepted until April 30th, 2007.

Each year, REAP-Canada offers young Canadians an opportunity to gain exposure in the fields of sustainable agriculture, renewable energy and international development through the CIDA International Youth Internship Program. The internship includes a 9 week term with REAP-Canada based in Ste. Anne be Bellevue Quebec followed by a 6-month placement in the Gambia the local southern partner the Njawara Agricultural Training Centre (NATC).

To learn more about these youth internship positions, please visit our website www.reap-canada.com.

Better Farming Magazine: BIOENERGY - The Crop That Could Save the Ontario Farm

2007-02-02T11:10:00.000-05:00

Don Nott and Roger Samson Published in the "Beyond Ethanol" December 2006 Edition of Better Farming Magazine

Article by Don Stoneman, Coverstory/page 14-21

"In 30 years, says one expert, half of Ontario's farmland will be growing energy crops. And one big-time former cash cropper in Huron County is transforming his operation accordingly in the belief that this prediction is on the mark."

Bioheat use heating up, conference hears

2007-01-31T11:55:00.000-05:00

GUELPH (Jan 26, 2007) -- With oil prices hitting the roof, David Steele is searching for ways of saving energy. Steele was among 100 farmers and agricultural researchers who listened intently to a presentation about the emerging bioheat industry, which is reaching new ...

See the Gueph Mercury for the full text of the article (subscribers only)

REAP-Canada Seminar List for Fall/Winter 2007

2007-01-12T17:33:00.000-05:00

April 11th – 13th, 2007 – London, ON
Stephanie Bailey: Biomass Resource Options: Creating a Bioheat supply for the Canadian Greenhouse Industry
Roger Samson: The Potential of Switchgrass for Commercial Fuel Pellet Production in Ontario OMAFRA Growing the Margins: Energy Conservation and Generation for Farms and Food Processors, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) www.gtmconf.ca

March 20-23rd, 200 – Bangalore, India
Roger Samson: Opportunities and Barriers for Household Cookstoves in the CDM and Voluntary Markets 3rd Biennial Partnership for Clean Indoor Air Forum, Partnership for Clean Indoor Air (PCIA) www.PCIAonline.org

March 13-15 th, 2007 – Papenburg, Germany
Roger Samson: Grasses for Heat Related Energy Second International Energy Farming Congress, 3N – Centre of Excellence Renewable Resources www.3-n.info

February 24th, 2007 - Cornwall, ON
Roger Samson: Growing BIOHEAT Opportunities for Switchgrass and other Biofuel options Eco Farm Day 2006 - “Agriculture for Health and Nutrition”, Annual conference organized by Canadian Organic Growers (COG-Ottawa) www.cog.ca/ottawa/EFD_2007_main.htm

February 16 th, 2007 - Ottawa, ON
Roger Samson: Switchgrass Bioenergy: a Growing Opportunity for the Agricultural Sector Policy Presentation at Agriculture Canada Contact: Pierre-Yves Gasser GasserPY@AGR.GC.CA

February 6th, 2007 - Chesterville, ON
Roger Samson: Switchgrass as an Energy Crop in Eastern Ontario Hendrick Seeds Grower Meeting Contact: Michael Staebler MichaelS@HendrickSeeds.com

January 25th, 2007 - Guelph, ON
Roger Samson: BIOHEAT: 'A Growing Agri-Energy Opportunity'
This 1/2 day BioHeat seminar is an introduction to the emerging "BioHeat Industry" for farmers, energy consumers and bio-energy project developers, Guelph 2006 Organic Conference - "Next Generation Organics" www.guelphorganicconf.ca

January 24th, 2007 – Edmonton, AB
Roger Samson: Bioenergy: a Growing Opportunity for the Agricultural Sector
FarmTech 2007 Conference: Global Perspectives … Local Knowledge www.farmtechconference.com

January 18th, 2007 - Fergus, ON
Stephanie Bailey: Growing BioEnergy Opportunities in Canada Wellington-Dufferin Soil and Crop Meeting www.ontariosoilcrop.org

November 18th, 2006 – Ste. Anne de Bellevue,QC
Claudia Ho Lem: Growing BioEnergy Opportunities in Canada 6th Annual Rendez-vous bio, McGill MacDonald Agro-Ecology Group (MAEG) agroecology.macdonald@mcgill.ca

November 14th, 2006 – Regina, SK
Roger Samson: Biomass Energy Alternatives from Energy Crop Farming in Canada Frontier Centre Policy Workshop, Frontier Centre for Public Policy (FCPP)
http://www.fcpp.org/main/events_detail.php?EventID=142
http://www.fcpp.org/main/media_file_detail.php?StreamID=502
http://www.fcpp.org/pdf/SamsonenergyalternativesIINov06.pdf

November 12th – 13th, 2006 – Saskatoon, SK
Roger Samson: Opportunities for Developing Bioheat on the Prairies Organic Connections Conference – 2006, Organic Connections http://www.organicconnections.ca/content/program.html

October 31st - November 1st, 2006 - Ottawa, ON
Roger Samson: The Current Scope of Biomass Opportunities
Towards a Sustainable Bioeconomy: Biosphere solutions for energy and the environment (2006 National BIOCAP Canada Conference) BIOCAP Canada http://www.biocap.ca/index.cfm?meds=section§ion=67&category=24

October 19th, 2006 - Québec, QC
Roger Samson: La bioénergie: opportunités croissantes pour le secteur agricole CRAAQ l’assemblée générale annuelle, Centre de référence en agriculture et agroalimentaire du Québec (CRAAQ) http://antenne.craaq.qc.ca/vol11/ComitesCommissions.aspx

October 10th – 13th, 2006 - Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Roger Samson: Developing Warm-Season Grasses as a Densified Heating Fuel
5th Eastern Native Grass Symposium, United States Department of Agriculture – Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) http://www.pa.nrcs.usda.gov/engs.html

September 26th, 2006 – Montreal, QC
Claudia Ho Lem: Growing BioEnergy Opportunities in Canada McGill School of Environment ENVR401: Environmental Research

September 15th – 17th, 2006 -Peterborough, ON
Roger Samson: Native warm season grasses: Potential energy crops for biogas production in Ontario Farming for the Future Conference: Biogas Technology, Agricultural Resources, Renewable Energy, Farm Income, Rural Development, and Sustainable Communities, Trent University Food and Agriculture Group & The Canadian Biogas Association www.biogas.ca

For a review of last winters speaking tour, please visit the Frontier Centre website
http://www.fcpp.org/main/events_detail.php?EventID=120

Crop pellets prove to be hot idea - Farmer sees a profitable future in turning crops like oats and switchgrass into biofuel

2006-12-14T16:58:00.000-05:00

By Frances Anderson, April 4th, 2006
Last fall cash cropper Don Nott got a phone call that has changed his life. The caller wanted to know whether Nott thought the oat pellets he markets would burn. Nott has been pelletizing the hulls and other by-products of his oat milling business for nearly a decade, but he'd not considered them for fuel until the day that Roger Samson called.

Six months later, the pellets have proven they burn hot and clean and cheap enough in boilers that greenhouse operators are impressed, and Nott is a man converted, preparing for the end of the age of oil, and a future for farmers in growing fuel - oats in the short term, and switch grass down the road.

"Agriculture has a bright future for some pretty dark reasons," quips Samson, who declares "the grass farmers of North America will outproduce the tar sands one day." …

For the text of the full article, please see the Organic Agriculture Center of Canada website
http://www.organicagcentre.ca/NewspaperArticles/ontfarmer_pellets_biofuel.asp

BIOHEAT: A GROWING AGRI-ENERGY OPPORTUNITY A Seminar Presented by REAP-Canada

2006-11-27T16:46:00.000-05:00

Thursday January 25th, 2007
1:00–5:00pm, Guelph University Centre, Guelph ON

An introduction for farmers, energy consumers, researchers and bio-energy project developers on the emerging “BioHeat” Industry

La terre de chez nous - 30 barils de pétrole à l'hectare

2006-11-26T12:17:00.000-05:00

Volume 77 No. 42 Published the week of November 23rd, 2006 (front page and continued on page 2)

The Frontier Centre and REAP-Canada explore the Prairie BioHeat Opportunity

2006-11-16T16:32:00.000-05:00

On November 14^th, Roger Samson, and Dr. Paul Jefferson met with policy experts to discuss the growing opportunities for green energy on the prairies. Follow the links below for further details:

http://www.fcpp.org/main/events_detail.php?EventID=142
http://www.fcpp.org/main/media_file_detail.php?StreamID=502 http://www.fcpp.org/pdf/SamsonenergyalternativesIINov06.pdf

Grass growing as potential fuel - The Leader-Post November 15, 2006

2006-11-15T12:14:00.000-05:00

http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/business_agriculture/story.html

Interview with Claudia Ho Lem on CKUT's Ecolibrium Tuesday October 3rd, 2006

2006-10-03T11:48:00.000-04:00

Tune in to ECOLIBRIUM on CKUT 90.3 FM for an interview with REAP-Canada Project Manager Claudia Ho Lem who will be talking about the value of using switchgrass to heat homes and diversify the Canadian farm economy in lieu of the looming energy crisis. If you miss the show you can always catch it online:

www.ckut.ca

click on > programming and archives
in scroll down show menu select > ecolibrium
select > Tuesday October 3, 2006

Toronto Star Article featuring REAP-Canada - "Farmer considers switching his crops" Sept 16, 2006

2006-09-18T13:55:00.000-04:00

Claudia Ho Lem and the Mayon Turbo Stove featured on revolutionary new series “Make Some Noise” premiering on CBC

2006-06-27T13:36:00.000-04:00

Make Some Noise is a new series that features teens and 20-somethings who are committed to making a difference in the world, candidly sharing their fears, triumphs, challenges visions. The series is filmed part music video, part guerilla filmmaking, and part behind-the-scenes glimpses into a world most of us never knew existed with an amazing soundtrack that has more than 60 original songs from 30 Canadian bands.

The show will feature the introduction of the Mayon Turbo Stove in the Gambia as an important way to combat poverty, reduce deforestation, mitigate greenhouse gases and improve poor women’s lives.

Airdates on CBC in 2006 are (EST/PST) :

Sunday May 14^th at 4:30 p.m.
Saturday May 27^th at 1:30 p.m.
Sunday August 20^th at 4:30 p.m.

For more information please visit http://www.cbc.ca/makesomenoise/stories/ep07/reap/

Western Producer: BIOHEAT IDEA HEATS UP

2006-02-16T15:18:00.000-05:00

News Conference: BIOHEAT - A "Made-in-Canada" Solution to Reducing Greenhouse Gases

2006-01-27T11:28:00.000-05:00

BIOHEAT to Produce Equivalent of 2.5 Million Barrels of Oil per Day

Implications for Environmental Promises of new Conservative Government

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 27, 2006

GUELPH – BIOHEAT, or heat from densified energy grasses and agricultural residues, could produce the equivalent of 2.5 million barrels of oil per day by 2020 in North America, according to Roger Samson, Executive Director of REAP-Canada. “Gas and heating oil prices have skyrocketed, making renewable fuels like BIOHEAT essential for our environment and consumers.”

A ground-breaking scientific study published this past month in the international journal Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences found the farm is emerging as a possible solution to the global energy and greenhouse gases crises. “BIOHEAT offers the best energy and greenhouse gas balances of the available options and is the most efficient way to produce energy from farmland,” says David Pimentel, a keynote speaker at the Guelph Organic Agriculture Conference being held this weekend.

Renewable energy was an issue in the Federal Election, with Prime Minister-designate Stephen Harper calling for “made-in-Canada” solutions to reducing greenhouse gases, promising he would: “Require 5 percent average renewable content in Canadian gasoline and diesel fuel, such as ethanol and biodiesel, by 2010.”[1] However, BIOHEAT may provide an even a bigger greenhouse gas reduction at less cost than developing liquid biofuels.

REAP-Canada has found North America could develop a fuel supply of 300 million tonnes of densified agri-fuels by 2020, the energy equivalent of 2.5 million barrels of oil every day. Currently BIOHEAT is 25-50% cheaper than heating with oil or natural gas. Samson emphasized that “Canada is uniquely positioned to invest in BIOHEAT today.” The new BIOHEAT industry is already developing with Ontario farmer Don Nott to produce and sell the equivalent to 180,000 barrels of heating oil as densified agri-fibre fuels to the Ontario greenhouse industry in 2006.

NEWS CONFERENCE TO BE HELD: Saturday, 28 January 2006 at 2:30 PM
Mezzanine, University Centre, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON, with:

- Dr. David Pimentel - College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

- Roger Samson - REAP-Canada, Ste. Anne de Bellevue, QC

- Dr. Neal Stoskopf – Department of Plant Agriculture, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON

- Don Nott - Farmer, Clinton, ON

For more information contact:
Roger Samson
Executive Director, REAP-Canada
Phone: (514) 398-7743 ext. 01
www.reap-canada.com

- Backgrounder: BIOHEAT Study Abstract -

“The Potential of C₄ Perennial Grasses for Developing a Global BIOHEAT Industry”

By Roger Samson ^A1, Sudhagar Mani ^A2, Robert Boddey ^A3, Shahab Sokhansanj ^A2, Diego Quesada ^A4, Segundo Urquiaga ^A3, Veronica Reis ^A3, Claudia Ho Lem ^A1

Unprecedented opportunities for biofuel development are occurring as a result of rising fossil fuel prices, the need to reduce greenhouse gases, and growing energy security concerns. An estimated 250 million hectares (ha) of farmland could be utilized globally to develop a bioenergy industry if efficient and economical perennial biomass crops and bioenergy conversion systems are employed. In temperate zones, C₄ or warm-season grass research and development efforts have found switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) and Miscanthus capable of producing biomass yields of 10 to 20 oven dried tonnes (ODT)/ha/yr, while in tropical areas Erianthus and napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) are producing 25 to 35 ODT/ha/yr. The potential to annually produce 100 barrels of oil energy equivalent/ha with a 25:1 energy output to input ratio appears achievable with high-yielding, N-fixing warm-season grasses grown on marginal lands in the tropics. Commercialization of densified herbaceous plant species has been slow because of the relatively high alkali and chlorine contents of the feedstocks, which leads to clinker formation and the fouling of boilers. This challenge can be overcome by improving biomass quality through advances in plant breeding and cultural management to reduce the chlorine, alkali, and silica content and through the use of new combustion technologies.

Warm-season grasses can be readily densified provided suitable grinding and densification equipment and pressure are utilized. The major advantages of producing densified warm-season grasses for BIOHEAT include: it is the most efficient strategy to use marginal farmlands in most temperate and tropical climates to collect solar radiation; it has an excellent energy balance; the feedstocks can be used conveniently in a variety of energy applications; and it is relatively environmentally friendly. Densified warm-season grass biofuels are poised to become a major global fuel source because they can meet some heating requirements at less cost than all other alternatives available today.

Published in:

Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences Publisher: Taylor & Francis Issue: Volume 24, Number 5-6 / September-December 2005 Pages: 461 - 495 http://journalsonline.tandf.co.uk/(4nmnk455r4ngnnnkx1r22u45)/app/home/contribution.asp?referrer=parent&backto=issue,7,7;journal,2,72;linkingpublicationresults,1:103858,1

^A1 Resource Efficient Agricultural Production-Canada, Ste Anne de Bellevue, Quebec, Canada
^A2 Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
^A3 Embrapa Agrobiologia, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
^A4 Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Department of Soils, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil

[1] Conservative Party of Canada Federal Election Platform 2006, pg. 37, available online: .

Claudia Ho Lem revives rural interest in growing energy crops in an article in the WINCHESTER PRESS!

2006-01-11T09:25:00.000-05:00

Internship Pre-departure training at the Falls Brook Centre

2005-08-24T17:57:00.000-04:00

REAP Canada’s four international interns recently joined 13 other interns at the Falls Brook Centre in Knowlesville, northern New Brunswick for a 4-day intercultural effectiveness course and training on sustainable development and the environment. The formal 3-day Center for Intercultural Learning (CIL) course focused largely on how subconscious cultural biases can have an effect on effectiveness overseas and on coping mechanisms for the cultural stresses that will inevitably occur. The course facilitator, Kelly Eastlake, provided the guidance and atmosphere for valuable group participation – it was both impressive and useful to hear of the experiences and perspectives of fellow interns and to interact both inside and outside the conference room. Aside from the challenge of trying to come to a consensus on the national identity of Canada (!), the most difficult task for REAP’s interns was undoubtedly having to sing a different song for each of the four emotional stages of an internship: honeymoon, cultural shock/despair, recovery, and adjustment. Needless to say no recording contracts were, nor ever will be, offered!

The Falls Brook Centre (www.fallsbrookcentre.ca) is a community education and demonstration centre working with organic agriculture, appropriate technologies, community development and forest stewardship. Several of their buildings are “off the grid,” using solar and wind power for lighting and electrical needs. It provided an ideal setting for the training as one only needed to walk around to see many of the principles of an ecological system working for the community. The organic food provided by the Falls Brook chef was incredible and nearly worth the trip on its own. But the hospitality of the Falls Brook staff was also extended into the evenings with a bonfire, barn dance and movie night that really brought everyone together.

It was during the movie night that the REAP interns had the opportunity to show off the Mayon Turbo Stove, providing two batches of popcorn and a whole lot of hot chocolate before the wood stove could even warm up! The other appropriate technology interns, in particular, were impressed with the blue, smokeless flame and ease of use that this simple device provided. And none of the popcorn got burnt!

All in all, the pre-departure training at the Falls Brook Centre was a synergy of a beautiful location, unique facilities, experienced mentors and enthusiastic peers. Well worth repeating!

Welcome New 2005 REAP-Canada Interns!

2005-08-15T18:21:00.000-04:00

REAP - Canada is proud to welcome our newest interns to our International Development Team!

For the next 9 months David Crowley and Stephanie Bailey will be working on our Gambia Agro-Ecological Village Development Project while Christina Rehbein and Helen Jensen will be working on our Philippine Sustainable Seed and Agriculture Project. David has a B.Sc. in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering from McGill and before joining REAP was a Research Council Officer working on lifecycle assessments, biodiesel and energy/greenhouse gas balances for a major environmental consulting firm. Stephanie completed her Masters in 2004 at McGill in Natural Resource Sciences and afterwards continued to conduct agro-forestry related research for the Department of Natural Resource Sciences supported by the Sustainable Forest Management Network. Christina completed her Masters of Environmental Studies at the University of Waterloo in 2004 and before joining REAP went on to coordinate and edit publications for the Parks Research Forum of Ontario (PRFO). Helen also just completed her M.Sc. in Chemical Ecology from the University of Ottawa in 2005 while collaborating with public corporations in the research, production and marketing of botanical insecticides during her Masters.

They are off on their overseas missions at the beginning of September and we expect them to be a very much appreciated addition to our local project teams! Congratulations David, Stephanie, Christina and Helen!

2005-04-27T17:47:00.000-04:00

TIME MAGAZINE explains how REAP-Canada's Executive Director Roger Samson is helping to keep our environment clean!

Published on May 2nd, 2005, the article entitled "Made in Canada, Green Ideas" explains how four people have dedicated their time and efforts to making the world richer -- or at least a lot cleaner.

This is Good Grass: Roger Samson in Time Magazine

Talk of saving the environment usually ends with bad news on the bottom line about how much it will cost. But Roger Samson is looking for ways to go green that save money as well as the planet. A plant scientist and executive director of the Quebec-based Resource Efficient Agricultural Production Canada, Samson says Canadians could cut the cost of heating their homes 20% to 40% and slash their greenhouse-gas emissions for heating 90%, by moving to switch-grass fuel.

Eager to investigate sustainable agriculture, Samson formed REAP-Canada 14 years ago with several other graduate students at McGill University. The nongovernmental organization began focusing on biofuels. At the time, the U.S. government was looking at the effectiveness of converting switch grass into a power-generating fuel. "We took the initiative to find the lowest-cost energy application for the consumer," Samson says. REAP found densified grasses to be ideally suited for heating and soon partnered with Quebec-based Dell-Point Technologies, which developed a stove capable of burning grass pellets efficiently.

Samson, 43, the only one of the founders still at REAP, now heats his home entirely with pellets made from switch grass. He estimates that heating a large house in Ontario with oil would cost C$1,925 for a year; with natural gas, C$1,400; and with switch grass, C$1,200. Although switch-grass pellets aren't available commercially yet, wood pellets are already a popular fuel, particularly in Europe. While wood is only slowly renewable, grass is easy to replenish, and it can be grown in almost any country. "In Canada, we can grow the energy equivalent of about 35 bbl. of oil per hectare," says Samson. "Brazil could grow 100 bbl. of oil per hectare per year."

The idea is generating interest overseas. REAP is working with one of China's largest boiler producers on the possibility of using the pellets to replace coal as a heating fuel. "If we can commercialize this in China, it could have a big impact on greenhouse-gas emissions," says Samson.

REAP is also working to save trees-and money-in developing countries. Small, smoky cookstoves use scarce wood resources and are a source of pollution.

REAP developed the Mayon Turbo Stove, a small volcano-shaped cooker that cleanly burns rice hulls, a waste product available for free. Each stove offers savings of as much as C$120 a year, REAP estimates, and reduces time spent gathering firewood. "I've seen women burst into tears [of joy] when they get the stoves," REAP project manager Claudia Ho Lem says. "They know it will change their lives." With help from the Canadian International Development Agency, REAP distributed 5,000 stoves, which cost from C$18 to C$24 each, in the Philippines, and the World Bank has approved funding for production in Nigeria. -By Leigh Anne Williams

2005-04-26T13:47:00.000-04:00

Gain Invaluable Overseas Experience through a CIDA Youth Internship!

We now have 4 CIDA youth internship postings available, two positions for the Gambia, West Africa and two for the Philippines. The deadlines are fast approaching, so apply as soon as possible!

If you would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@reap-canada.com or 514-398-7743. You can download the job posting on our website at http://www.reap-canada.com/get_involved.htm.

Don't miss this incredible opportunity!

2005-04-23T17:49:00.000-04:00

MTS Showcased on Jane Goodall's Earth Day Celebration

For this year's Earth Day celebration, REAP-Canada's Mayon Turbo Stove (MTS) was chosen to be presented in Montreal at the "Spirit of Earth Day", put on by the Jane Goodall Institute. Workshop participants were impressed by the MTS' ability to improve rural livelihoods by relieving the dependency on fuelwood ... and of course its ability to roast great-tasting marshmallows!

Workshop participants roast marshmallows with the MTS

2005-02-26T10:25:00.000-05:00

The Montreal Gazette highlights switchgrass for home heating
Feburary 26, 2005

See the front page of Saturday's Business Section to read all about how Roger Samson, Executive Director of REAP-Canada, is heating his own home with switchgrass pellets to save money on heating costs, preserve the environment, and reduce greenhouse gases!

Roger Samson fills his switchgrass home heating pellet stove

2005-02-07T16:43:00.000-05:00

New REAP-Canada website!
February 7, 2005

A hearty thank you to Mr. Leland Wong-Daugherty and Mr. Richard Welsh for their support in helping REAP-Canada to finish its new website. The website has been updated to provide a better understanding of REAP-Canada's activities, partnerships, and domestic and international achievements. The website also features an on-line library of recent research publications as well as the up close and personal accounts of former interns during their overseas development experiences. Definitely a site to see! Please visit us at www.reap-canada.com.

2005-02-04T16:37:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to Sean and Shelly for successfully completing their CIDA Youth Internship!
February 4, 2005

As part of a CIDA-sponsored internship program, Sean Sloan and Shelly Juurlink spent two months in Ste. Anne de Bellevue learning about REAP-Canada's international development programs; six months in the Gambia supporting local partners in program activities; and a final two weeks in Ste. Anne de Bellevue wrapping up their internship. This rewarding experience made both interns more aware of the hardships rural people face in developing countries and the benefits of participatory rural development programs. If you would like to participate in such a program, please visit our website at www.reap-canada.com. REAP-Canada will be recruiting at least two new interns for the 2005-2006 year.

2005-01-28T16:22:00.000-05:00

Straight from the Gambia, Mr. Badarra Jobe informs young McGill university students of his experience with REAP-Canada's AEV Model in West Africa
January 28, 2005

Badarra Jobe presents the AEV model to McGill university students

Mr. Badarra Jobe, Director of the Njawara Agricultural Training Centre (NATC), presented to a group of university students at McGill university informing them of his experience with the Agro-Ecological Village Model. In partnership with REAP-Canada, NATC has implemented the AEV model in several rural Gambian communities as a strategy in relieving poverty and enhancing food security. During its first year of implementation, the CIDA-sponsored partnership has trained 20 farmer trainers to develop learning farms from which others in their community can benefit from seeing first-hand the advantages of using ecological and sustainable agriculture.

2005-01-24T16:03:00.000-05:00

REAP-Canada at the Guelph Organic Conference
January 24, 2005

From January 21-23, 2005, REAP-Canada hosted several exciting events at the Annual Guelph Organic Conference , Canada’s largest gathering of its kind. REAP-Canada made presentations at the "Farmer-Scientist Workshop On Mitigating Climate Change Through Agriculture" and held a tradeshow booth informing the public of REAP-Canada's recent innovations in ecological agriculture. Also, straight from the Gambia Mr. Badarra Jobe, Director of the Njawara's Agricultural Training Centre (one of REAP-Canada's partners) presented "Agro‑Ecological Village: Development in the Gambia" during a Sunday seminar. REAP-Canada's showing was well received, generating a lot of interest and ideas for this year's programming.

2005-01-22T16:34:00.000-05:00

Annual General Meeting held in Guelph, Ontario
January 22, 2005

The Annual General Meeting was a success, we thank all of those who participated. Participants were updated of REAP-Canada's recent programs and accomplishments and also provided feedback for this year's programs. Also, congratulations to our new board members, the newest addition to REAP-Canada's team!

2004-10-21T11:40:00.000-04:00

David Suzuki Report on Renewable Energy Options for Ontario Released -- Read REAP-Canada's Evaluation of Biomass Energy in Ontario
October 20, 2004

The David Suzuki Foundation in collaboration with REAP-Canada's Roger Samson and other leading field experts recently produced the report entitled "Smart Generation: Powering Ontario with Renewable Energy". REAP-Canada helped to develop the report's Chapter 4 titled "Biomass in Ontario" which evaluates the potential for Ontario to use its biomass as a clean alternative fuel source. To download the document, visit the David Suzuki Foundation website at http://www.davidsuzuki.org/.

2004-10-19T22:20:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to REAP-Canada's Two CIDA Youth Interns As They Start Their Overseas Experience in the Gambia, West Africa to Learn About Sustainable Agriculture and International Development!
August 1, 2004

REAP-Canada is proud to send interns Sean Sloan and Shelly Juurlink to the Gambia to work on REAP-Canada's development projects. There they will work with the rural farmers, local partners, and government institutions to implement REAP-Canada's Agro-Ecological Village Model, a holistic and participatory approach to agrarian development.

Sean and Shelly were hired in May 2003 as part of the CIDA International Youth Internship Program. They have spent approximately two months at the REAP-Canada office learning about the organization's goals and programs and are now in the Gambia for a six month term. Sean is a geography undergraduate with a rich background in participation and development from several overseas work experiences. Shelly is a farmer-at-heart with a master's degree in animal science and a minor in agribusiness. Filled with enthusiasm and a lot of spunk, Sean and Shelly hold a lot of potential to advance REAP-Canada in its programming which help rural farmers enjoy a more sustainable lifestyle. Go get 'em guys!

2004-10-06T16:52:00.000-04:00

REAP-Canada Shows High School and CEGEP Students How to Apply Their Skills in International Development through the McGill Explorations Program
July 9, 2004

Each year, REAP-Canada sparks youth's interest in science and technology through its participation in the Explorations Summer Day Camp Program hosted by McGill University. A presentation is given to students ages 15-18 who discover what REAP-Canada is all about and how their devotion to the sciences and social development can make an international difference.

This year, students engaged in conversation about international development, roasted marshmallows on the Mayon Turbo Stove, and learned about the hardships of a rural Gambian lifestyle through a video presentation. To find out more about Explorations, visit http://www.education.mcgill.ca/explorations/. To organize a presentation for your group, or to find out more about REAP-Canada, visit www.reap-canada.com or email us at info@reap-canada.com.

Wayne Roberts from NOW Magazine Finds Out More About Sustainable Agricultural Development from REAP-Canada

2004-10-06T16:43:00.000-04:00

During the 2003 Guelph Organic Conference, Wayne Roberts from NOW Magazine interviewed REAP-Canada Project Manager, Claudia Ho Lem, on REAP-Canada's approach to agrarian development. To read the news story, click here.

2004-10-06T16:31:00.000-04:00

CBC Marketplace Features REAP-Canada's Grass Biofuels for Home Heating!

REAP-Canada Executive Director, Roger Samson, discusses with CBC the advantages of using switchgrass pellets and biomass combustion systems for domestic heating. Visit www.reap-canada.com to watch the video!

Will that be gas or grass in your furnace?

2004-10-01T14:48:00.000-04:00

By John Spears Toronto Star, January 7, 2001 Page: B5, Business Edition

Put another blade of grass on the fire, dear, pellets made of switchgrass could become a new home-heating fuel.

Wild grass that once covered the open spaces of Ontario could heat the homes of 21st century Canadians, says a Canadian research group. It is teaming with a Quebec-based stove manufacturer to market a new home-heating system fuelled by pellets made from
switchgrass. The wild grass can grow anywhere in southern Ontario and much of southern Quebec. Even better, it grows in soil that is of marginal quality and withstands a wide range of conditions - from harsh drought to the soggy conditions that plagued Ontario farmers last summer.

Patrick Duxbury is part of the grass-heating research team at Resource Efficient Agricultural Production, or REAP-Canada. It’s a non-profit organization based in (Ste. Anne de Bellevue, QC). Duxbury says people have been heating their homes for years with wood pellets, made from sawmill waste and research so far shows that switchgrass pellets can perform better than wood. “There’s no plant species that’s more efficient at intercepting light,” he says. Light is energy, so it means that switchgrass is very good at storing energy, which is released when it is burned. The grass is harvested, then chopped up and fed into a machine that compresses it and extrudes pellets. The finished pellets are not far off the dimensions of a cigarette filter. The grass also burns clean, so it doesn’t release pollutants or high levels of greenhouse gases. And it doesn’t require as much drying as wood, so it takes less energy to produce. Don’t think of harvesting the stuff that’s growing in your backyard, though. Switchgrass is a tall plant. “I was out at the end of last season harvesting switchgrass growing over my head,” Duxbury says.

Mark Drisdelle of Quebec-based Dell-Point Technologies has been working on how to make switchgrass-pellet technology a commercial proposition. Since wood-pellet stove technology is well-developed, it’s mostly a matter of fine-tuning existing equipment to handle grass. Grass pellets, for example, have a higher ash content than wood. The economics work something like this: Drisdelle says heating a 2,000-square-foot home for the cold months would take about 150 bags of pellets weighing 22.7 kilograms each, or 3.4 tonnes in total. How big is that? One tonne of pellets would be contained in a 1.2-metre cube. REAP figures the pellets can be manufactured for about $90 to $125 a tonne - less than $470 a season, not including delivery.

Because the grass can be grown all over the place and pellet plants can be fairly small scale, the researchers envision a number of plants scattered across southern Ontario and Quebec, to minimize transport costs. Finding investors willing to put money into pellet plants is the part of the puzzle they figure they need next. As for the stove, Dell-Point Technologies is advertising one on its Web site for $1,995 (U.S.), or $3,013. The stove can connect to a forced-air or hot-water radiator system to heat a house. In theory, they could run the hot-water system as well and even generate electricity. Analysis by REAP claims that heating with grass pellets could be 30 per cent cheaper than heating with oil or gas and would cut greenhouse gas emissions by 90 per cent. One of the drawbacks of pellet technology is that people who are used to oil, gas or electric heat don’t want to be hauling bags of pellets to the stove all the time. Stove manufacturers have tried to overcome this by designing automatic, computer-controlled electrical systems to run the stoves. (The system can run for days on a car battery if the electricity fails.) A large storage bin sits by the stove, which needs to be filled only occasionally. A computer-controlled system monitors temperatures and an augur feeds pellets into the furnace as needed.

For Duxbury, the goal is to provide a clean, low-carbon heating technology that can replace less environmentally friendly forms of energy. One target is Quebec, where about half the population heats with electricity generated by water power. Replacing electric heat with grass would mean more Quebec electricity could be exported to the northeastern United States, where dirty, coal-fired plants now supply much of the power, Duxbury says. Thinking big, Duxbury notes that if all the arable land in Alberta were turned over to switchgrass, it could produce 200 million tonnes of pellets - the energy equivalent of 600 million barrels of oil. That’s about 20 million hectares.

Obviously, switchgrass isn’t going to run wheat and cattle off the Prairies. But Duxbury does note that each summer about 8 million hectares lie fallow across the prairie provinces. That’s fertile ground for switchgrass, which would not rob the soil of nutrients and would protect the land from erosion. Tom Adams, executive director of Energy Probe, says pellet fuels are worth a look from consumers. “The pellet-fuel system has reached the point where homeowners can leave behind the atmospherically damaging fossil-fuel industry for meeting their heating needs,” he says.

Canada cuts wide energy swath

2004-09-29T16:36:00.000-04:00

Globe and Mail Update
Wednesday, Sep 29, 2004

Canada cuts wide energy swath
By ALLISON DUNFIELD

Canada has the world's third-largest ecological footprint, a new report finds, meaning that if everyone in the world were as big a consumer of Earth's resources as Canadians are, it would take four Earths to support them.

An ecological footprint measures the impact each person or group makes on the environment. It's the naturally occurring area needed to both produce all the products a person needs and to absorb all of their waste.

The report, prepared for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities by economists from Anielski Management Inc., found that it takes 7.25 hectares of land and sea throughout the world to support each Canadian. However, the report says that Earth has 1.9 hectares of productive land and sea available for each person's need.

"By this measure, Canadians consume almost four times the Earth's capacity. In comparison, the United States has the world's second largest ecological footprint at 9.7 hectares per person. France, with a population twice the size of Canada's, has the 14th-largest footprint at 5.26," the report says.

Ann MacLean, the president of the FCM, said the report on consumption is useful for cities to look at how much impact they have on the environment and to "find ways to reduce" their impact.

"Communities and individuals can use this report as a guide to making the changes needed to reduce our impact on the planet while improving our quality of life," Ms. MacLean said in a statement.

The report found that among Canada's 20 largest municipalities and urban regions, York Region (10.33) (near Toronto), Calgary (9.86) and Edmonton (9.45) have the largest footprints, while the Niagara Regional Municipality (6.90), Quebec City (6.89) and Greater Sudbury (6.88), have the smallest. Toronto, at 7.39, was just above the Canadian average of 7.25. It found that the difference is mainly due to levels of consumption in these areas, and the kind of energy being used.

As well, use of carbon-rich fuels are associated with larger ecological footprints, the study said.
"In general, municipalities with higher household incomes have larger footprints," the report adds.

The study discusses ways to reduce household consumption and thus reduce the ecological footprint.

Those include decreasing driving and increasing walking or cycling, or using public transit, retrofitting homes to increase energy efficiency and driving fuel efficient vehicles.
Municipalities can use the information, the report said, to shape their priorities and budgeting for transportation, housing, and development.

"Benchmarking municipal, household and business footprints will help to identify best practices or models of efficient energy use, transportation, waste disposal, water and local food policies that yield smaller footprints," the report proposes.

York councillor Brenda Hogg, speaking for the federation, said that Canadians are consuming their portion of the world's natural assets at a rate that exceeds the earth's capacity.
"We need to design policies that conserve energy, reduce waste at the source and support the domestic production of goods."

Video of the Mayon Turbo Stove in action

2004-09-27T18:48:00.000-04:00

This short video, shot in the Philippines in 2002, illustrates how to light and use the Mayon Turbo Stove (MTS). For more information on the stove, please visit our website at www.reap-canada.com or email us at info@reap-canda.com.