http://biofuels-news.com/display_news/11798/new_study_shows_novia_scotia_has_strong_potential_to_produce_advanced_biofuels/
New study shows Nova Scotia has ‘strong potential’ to produce advanced
biofuels
A new study shows Nova Scotia has strong potential to develop an
innovative biorefinery that produces an advanced biofuels from renewable
sources of fibre.
The liquid biofuel could be used to heat homes and power marine vessels,
among other potential uses, according to a study done by Nova Scotia's
Innovation Hub, an industrial, applied-research initiative.
The study, which was recently released, shows that sufficient renewable
fibre is generated in Nova Scotia to supply a commercial scale plant
producing liquid biofuel. The fibre could come from by-products produced
by forestry operations, such as wood chips and tree bark, as well as
from farm crops and municipal solid waste sources.
"Developing a biofuel sector in our province will give us an innovative
alternative to fossil fuels and spark economic growth," said Lloyd
Hines, Minister of Natural Resources.
"This is an exciting step toward increased competitiveness in the forest
sector over the long term."
The Innovation Hub, launched a year ago, is working to attract
investors, identify markets, and help government develop supportive
regulation.
The goal is to help make Nova Scotia's forestry and resource sectors
stronger competitors. CelluFuel, in Brooklyn, Queens Co., is an example
of the type of bio-refining business the Innovation Hub aims to attract.
Nova Scotia's Innovation Hub is supported with $1.67 million (€1.48m)
provided by Emera, Government of Canada through the Atlantic Canada
Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and the province.
The Innovation Hub has also made progress in its first year by:
-Completing a study of ways to make transporting harvested trees more
efficient and cost-effective, including a review of regulations in
comparison with other jurisdictions
-Working with government, to make technology available to forestry
companies to install in harvesting machines to help the operator monitor
performance and improve efficiency
-Sponsoring 10 Nova Scotians in a machine operator training program to
provide world-class instruction on efficient equipment operation.
Workers are matched with forestry companies that want to upgrade their
competitiveness and agree to hire them upon successful completion of
their training.
"Taking action on climate change and reducing carbon pollution go
hand-in-hand with building a strong and sustainable Atlantic economy,"
said Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic
Development and Minister responsible for ACOA. "By working together, we
are committed to promoting clean growth, and driving innovation to
transition to a low-carbon economy particularly in Atlantic Canada's
resources based-industries."