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Member

APAO Updates

Innovation Forum: New Markets for Biogas

The APAO is hosting an invitation only workshop March 7, 2012 in London Ontario to explore new markets for biogas. Experts will come together to consider opportunities and barriers related to using biogas for new applications – as a renewable natural gas source to inject into the grid, as a vehicle fuel source, or to substitute for propane heating. The participants will come away with an understanding of how they can work together to move the market ahead in Ontario, and motivation to do so.
See the the attached document (.pdf) for information. A report on the Forum outcomes will be published in English and French on this page in April.

TSSA Update

APAO has been following the developments of safety standards by the TSSA and CSA for biogas. TSSA held a meeting in early December to give an update on digester gas, the procedures for applying for approvals and future developments with respect to codes and standards.  From this meeting, it was noted that in mid 2012 TSSA will begin to inspect whole biogas systems and not just the combined heat and power generators as in the past. Code B149.6-11 will be modified to suit biogas plants and an advisory committee will assist this process. Effective since August 2011, new application forms are required to be filed prior to construction of AD plants. New rules include: above ground gas lines need to be 316 stainless steel, flat and raised flanges cannot be mixed, and flares need a separate gas supply for pilot ignition with approved fail-safe devices.

APAO Grid Connection Guide

APAO is pleased to release a Grid Connection Guide to enable farmers and developers to understand and plan for the necessary steps required to connect to the grid. The Guide is available here  and includes timelines, costs, and who to engage and when. Funding provided by OMAFRA has helped produce this useful tool.

APAO FIT Review Submission

APAO would like to thank its members for contributions to this important initiative. APAO’s submission to the government looks to help grow and sustain the biogas industry in Ontario. Topics including grid connection, contracts, reasonable pricing, Renewable Energy Approval and a government wide biogas strategy formed key topics of our submission. A copy of the APAO FIT Review Submission can be accessed here. APAO also prepared a report that addresses the potential for growth of the biogas industry to give context to the opportunities that can be realized here in Ontario.

News

Ontario Premier Names New Secretary of Cabinet

December 5, 2011

Effective since December 12, Fareed Amin became the new Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, as John Burke left the ministry for his early retirement. Amin will conclude the first scheduled review of the clean energy FIT program on behalf of the Ministry of Energy. More…

Property Tax Treatment of Renewable Energy Installations

The Ministry of Finance prepared a fact sheet identifying the treatment of property tax from renewable energy installations. The key points for biogas include:

On-Farm Anaerobic Digestion:
Anaerobic digestion is the process by which organic materials in an enclosed vessel are broken down by micro-organisms, in the absence of oxygen. Anaerobic digestion produces biogas (consisting primarily of methane and carbon dioxide). Anaerobic digestion systems are also often referred to as “biogas systems.”

Anaerobic digestion facilities of any size that are located on a farm and are operated by the farmer will be taxed at the farm rate.

Generation by Corporate Power Producer:
Consistent with historic treatment, ground-based generation facilities that are operated by entities whose primary business is the generation, transmission or distribution of electricity (“corporate power producers”) will continue to be taxed at the industrial rate.

British Columbia – On-Farm Anaerobic Digester Benchmark Study

British Columbia – On-Farm Anaerobic Digestions Benchmark Study
Prepared for the B.C. Agricultural Research and Development Corporation – December 2011
By CH-Four Biogas Inc.

The British Columbia (B.C.) Anaerobic Digestion Benchmark Study evaluates the feasibility of developing onfarm anaerobic digestion (AD) systems at 12 agricultural sites. These sites were chosen to be representative of a broad demographic of B.C.’s agriculture sector. Using information from these sites, this study modeled specifications and parameters to determine the capital and operational costs for AD system development and operation. This included determining necessary energy tariffs and funding amounts to achieve economic viability using the sale of electricity or biomethane as the primary revenue source. More… (for a copy of the 12 site feasibility studies, please click here)

Natural gas for transportation roadmap launched

Natural gas for transportation roadmap launched
Canadian Natural Gas Vehicle Alliance – December 9, 2011
The Canadian trucking, oil and gas, manufacturing and transportation industries met with government representatives during a facilitated meeting by Natural Resources Canada to launch the implementation of a roadmap that will guide market development for natural gas as a transportation fuel in Canada. More…

Events

APAO’s AGM, March 6, 2012 in London, Ontario – Save the date!

Save the date for APAO's annual meeting, to be held on March 6, 2012 in London, Ontario (co-located with GTM/Biogas conferences). This event will present a great opportunity to network, see our growth potential and profile your business through sponsorship of your member association. Contact us today for more information.

Biogas webinars, tours and workshops

APAO will be hosting two webinars in early 2012 introducing biogas, recent developments and opportunities. To find out more details

Canadian Farm and Food Biogas Conference, March 5-7, 2012

This conference will provide the occasion to learn about new research, technologies, projects and programs, including opportunities to use off-farm source organics, that are part of this growth field.

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