About us > News > Terasen Gas targets farms, sewage treatment plants and landfills in call for new biogas energy sources
Terasen Gas targets farms, sewage treatment plants and landfills in call for new biogas energy sources
September 17, 2008
Organic waste could provide energy for thousands of B.C. homes and businesses under new alternative program
SURREY, B.C. – Terasen Gas has announced plans for a new B.C.-wide alternative energy program seeking supplies of bio-methane developed from the conversion of organic waste from sewage treatment facilities, landfill sites, the agricultural sector and other industry that can be used as an energy source to heat homes and businesses, provide fuel for hot water heaters, stoves, clothes dryers and barbecues.
"We are issuing a call to municipalities, waste management companies, farms and other businesses to bring forward opportunities whereby new facilities could be built or existing ones upgraded to allow the production of bio-methane and its conversion into a clean and renewable energy source," said Doug Stout, Terasen Gas Vice President, Marketing and Business Development. "This initiative supports the B.C. Energy Plan's objective to increase the province's production of clean and renewable energy, while reducing emissions from waste methane, which is 21 times more powerful in warming the atmosphere than CO2."
The Terasen Gas Request for Expressions of Interest invites proposals to develop facilities that will collect and produce biogas from organic waste material. The gas produced will then be converted to pipeline quality and injected into the Terasen Gas system.
"The Lower Mainland alone produces enough organic waste that once processed, could heat 45,000 homes, or provide the equivalent amount of energy to run 2,250 diesel-fuel buses per year," said Stout. "Using innovative solutions, Terasen Gas would like to capture and use as much of this clean energy source as possible."
The plan expands on an existing $1.1 million innovative pilot project already underway to capture and purify biogas from West Vancouver's Lions Gate wastewater treatment plant, which will heat 100 homes. The new program will also target restaurant food waste, beer and winery by-products, and methane generated by other sewage treatment plants.
Information sessions to gather feedback and responses are planned for around the province this fall, after which the formal Request will be finalized. The submission deadline for expressions of interest is February 2, 2009. More details are available in the attached backgrounder and online at www.terasengas.com/biogas.
Terasen Gas delivers natural gas and propane through three companies that make up the Terasen Gas group: Terasen Gas Inc., Terasen Gas (Vancouver Island) Inc. and Terasen Gas (Whistler) Inc. The companies share common Terasen Inc. ownership and are indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of Fortis Inc. Fortis Inc., the largest investor-owned distribution utility in Canada, serves two million gas and electric customers and has more than $10 billion of assets. Its regulated holdings include Terasen Gas and electric utilities in five Canadian provinces and three Caribbean countries. Fortis Inc. owns non-regulated hydroelectric generation assets across Canada and in Belize and upper New York State. It also owns hotels and commercial real estate in Canada. Fortis Inc. shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and trade under the symbol FTS. Additional information can be accessed at www.fortisinc.com or www.sedar.com.
Media contact:
Michael Chisholm
Corporate Communications Manager
Terasen Gas Inc.
(604) 576-7300
Email: Michael.Chisholm@terasengas.com
Corporate Communications Manager
Terasen Gas Inc.
(604) 576-7300
Email: Michael.Chisholm@terasengas.com
Terasen Gas
Biogas Request for Expressions of Interest
BACKGROUNDER
What is the Terasen Gas Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEOI)?
On September 17, 2008 Terasen Gas issued its preliminary Request for Expressions of Interest for biogas production. A draft RFEOI document will be posted on the Terasen Gas website by September 30, 2008 for considering and comment.
Based on stakeholder response and feedback over the next several months, Terasen Gas expects to issue a final RFEOI on December 1, 2008.
At that time, interested parties can submit a proposal outlining their plan for a biogas collection and production facility. Terasen Gas would purchase the raw biogas by way of a contract with the producer, upgrade the gas to pipeline quality, and inject it into its natural gas distribution system. Terasen Gas will also consider opportunities to use the biogas in district energy systems, distributed electricity generation and combined heat and power applications. Other proposed project models will also be considered.
The final deadline for proposal submissions is 4:30 pm on February 2, 2009.
What types of projects will be considered?
Potential biogas sources could include the following types of projects, but Terasen Gas will consider other submissions as well:
- Wastewater (sewage) treatment biogas recovery – municipalities
- Landfill biogas recovery – municipalities and waste management businesses
- Biogas from agricultural waste – farm operators or other agricultural businesses
- Biogas from industrial processes – food and/or beverage processing businesses
- Other industries that use or process organic material
- Other – entrepreneurs who can facilitate the development of biogas production from any of the above listed organic material sources
Where can I find more information about the RFEOI?
Visit www.terasengas.com/biogas for more information about the RFEOI process, background information and links to other biogas information resources.
Terasen Gas will also be hosting information sessions across B.C. to provide more information, answer questions, and gather feedback from stakeholders and potential respondents about the RFEOI process. Sessions will be held in the B.C. Interior, Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, Kootenays and the Prince George area in October and November. Times, dates and exact locations will be posted on the Terasen Gas website www.terasengas.com/biogas as available.
How can I get involved and stay informed?
Those interested in participating in Terasen Gas's Biogas RFEOI, or who want to stay informed about the process, should email biogas@terasengas.com, or call Rose Jacques at (604) 592-7844. Please provide your name and contact information and indicate that you would like to receive future notifications about Terasen Gas's Biogas RFEOI.
What is Biogas?
Biogas is a clean energy source that can be used for heating applications, electricity generation or as a transportation fuel. Biogas is primarily composed of methane (CH4), produced through anaerobic digestion of organic material from sources such as landfill sites, wastewater treatment facilities, agricultural waste management and certain industrial processes. It is often referred to as 'renewable natural gas'.
Biogas collection and management systems capture the greenhouse gases that would otherwise be vented directly into the atmosphere. Processing and injecting biogas into the pipeline system also provides the benefits of replacing traditionally sourced natural gas and being able to store biogas until it is needed.
Additional information and background on biogas is available at the following websites:
- Terasen Gas 2008 Resource Plan
- Feasibility Study – Anaerobic Digester and Gas Processing Facility in the Fraser Valley
- Feasibility Study – Biogas Upgrading and Grid Injection in the Fraser Valley, British Columbia
- BC Energy Plan
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