Bioenergy Publications and Maps

This section contains publications relating to alternative energy Alberta Energy or the Government of Alberta has produced. Bioenergy is any renewable energy or fuel derived from biological sources. There are several potential feedstocks for bioenergy in Alberta including agricultural products (such as corn or canola), forestry waste and livestock waste.

These documents provide information about the alternative energy industry in Alberta. If you have further questions, see the Frequently Asked Questions portion of our site.

Talk about bioenergy 
Learn more about bioenergy with this quick, informative fact sheet. (April 2009)

Talk about the Renewable Fuels Standard
Learn more about RFS with this quick, informative fact sheet. (April 2009)

Risk Assessment for Bioenergy Manufacturing Facilities in Alberta (full report 22MB, offered in sections below)

• Executive Summary
• Introduction and Bioethanol
• Biogas
• Biodiesel
• Legislation

This report looks at an environmental risk assessment for bioethanol, biodiesel and biogas manufacturing in Alberta, based on facility process design and risk factors related to facility operation.  Basic mass balance and process flow information are provided to introduce facility design and risk factors to bioenergy developers and regulators.  Key information is also included from provincial, national and international regulatory regimes.
The importance of such information is necessitated by the complexity and maturity of Alberta’s extremely well-established energy sector, where development of  the oil and gas sector has been established for over 100 years. As such, the environmental standards and regulations for all energy projects, including bioenergy, are very rigorous. Bioenergy projects must adhere to the same regulatory permits and approvals to which chemicals plants adhere. Project developers need to obtain all permits, before they start their projects. Project timelines for construction could be as long as 3 to 4 years, after proposing the initial project development.     

Nine-Point Bioenergy Strategy(2006)
This strategy document was produced in 2006 in cooperation with Alberta Agriculture and Food, through the program three grants are available, the Bioenergy Producer Credit Program, the Biorefining Commercialization and Market Development Program and the Bioenergy Infrastructure Development Program to encourage growth of a sustainable bioenergy industry.    

Maps

Bioenergy Projects Map (Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development)
Alberta is uniquely positioned to convert a number of feed stocks into renewable energy supplies; these include crops such as grains and oilseeds, straw and forestry sector residues. A major opportunity is also emerging, diverting organic waste streams to generate energy and fuels. Opportunities are being investigated in all regions of the province.  A list of the Bioenergy Grant Program Recipients is also available.