Biomass is generally considered to be available from two sources, opportunity and purpose-grown. Agricultural residue, such as straw and woody material resulting from insect and disease attacks, major forest fires, wood harvesting operations and blowdown are considered to be the major opportunity biomass sources in the Dryden area. The City of Dryden and the surrounding area has shown interest in establishing a biomass industry. The area is also well established to produce purpose grown crops such as grasses. When combined with forest biomass, will reduce the risk of crop failure and forest loss from fire and pests.
Together, with the Kenora District Soil and Crop Improvement Association, we are in the process of conducting a fallow lands initiative to determine the amount of available land which could be used to produce a product used in the biomass industry.
Top Five Reasons to Switch to Biomass
1. Biomass district energy systems generate multiple savings by using a more efficient central heating system; replacing fuel that is imported to the community with lower cost, local fuel; and where cogeneration is used, maximizing fuel efficiency through production of both heat and electricity.
2. Biomass technology is mature and reliable, widely used in many applications in Canada and around the world.
3. Security of supply is an important consideration. Biomass systems based on locally managed resources, provide more energy stability. They shelter users from price shocks and escalating prices associated with other energy sources and enable local institutions to stretch reduced budgets even further.
4. Biomass district energy systems can be a major catalyst in community wealth creation by displacing imports, using local resources, avoiding waste disposal costs, creating jobs associated with use of local fuel source, and generating new business income.
5. You may not be able to quantify the benefits of improved air quality or your growing reputation for environmental leadership, but you should consider these factors anyway! Biomass energy systems: are based on a renewable resource, are considered CO2 neutral, dispose of wood waste which often creates local pollution problems, and use technology which can meet strict emission regulations.
