Bioenergy Frequently Asked Questions

On this page

• Biofuels General
• Ethanol
• Biodiesel
• Biogas

If biofuels use food crops to generate energy, will food prices rise?
What are the environmental advantages to biofuels?
We have lots of oil and natural gas. Why do we need to develop bioenergy?
What programs are available to encourage the development of bioenergy in Alberta?
Can motor vehicles run on pure ethanol?
Does ethanol produce the same amount of energy as gasoline?
Does Alberta have a standard for how much ethanol must be in gasoline?
What crops are used in ethanol production?
Can motor vehicles run on pure biodiesel?
Does biodiesel produce the same amount of energy as regular diesel?
How can I purchase biodiesel?
Other than manure, what can be used as feedstock for producing biogas?
Can people using biogas to generate electricity sell electricity into the provincial grid?

Bioenergy Program Amendment Frequently Asked Questions

Renewable Fuels Standard Frequently Asked Questions

Biofuels General

If biofuels use food crops to generate energy, will food prices rise?

The majority of bioenergy products in Alberta are made from either waste or foresty biomass. While there have been grain shortages in other parts of the world, there are many factors that impact food prices and availability including:

• energy prices;
• costs to process, package, market and transport food;
• agricultural costs (for fertilizer, fuel and pesticides);
• increased demand in countries like China and India; and
• climate and growing issues, for example droughts and major pest invasions.

In Alberta, 1.2 per cent of locally produced grains and oilseeds (such as canola) are used to make renewable fuels. During the past five years (2003-2008), Alberta produced over 25 million tonnes of crops each year. Less than 200,000 tonnes of that is used each year for bioenergy products, such as renewable fuels.

The most significant advantage is that the feedstock is renewable and is part of the carbon cycle. The production of plant material pulls carbon from the atmosphere and then this carbon is returned when the fuel is burned. The environmental benefits range from moderate for grain ethanol blends to significant in cellulosic (wood or straw) ethanol use.

Consumers are asking for a diversified and sustainable approach to our energy supplies and bioenergy is one option to meet this demand. Some of our trading partners (particularly the US) are also mandating the use of alternative energy products.

A number of programs have been developed during the past year by both the provincial and federal government.  Alberta Energy administers provincial programs. Federal programs are administered by Natural Resources Canada.

Ethanol

Yes, specially designed engines are capable of running on pure ethanol. The highest commercial level supported is an 85 per cent blend of ethanol and 15 per cent blend of gasoline. Major North American automotive manufacturers are now building “flex-fuel” vehicles capable of burning this higher blend. However, availability remains very limited at this time.

On a volume basis, the energy content of a litre of ethanol produces about 75 per cent of the energy that a litre of petroleum gasoline delivers.

Alberta's Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) was announced on December 11, 2008.  The RFS will require five per cent ethanol content in gasoline and two per cent renewable content in diesel by 2010.

A large number of crops can be used to produce ethanol. In Alberta, Canadian Prairie Spring, a mid-grade wheat, is most often used for ethanol production. Emerging technologies being developed will expand the number of crops that could be used including forages and even woody material.

Biodiesel

Yes, many engines today can run on either pure biodiesel or biodiesel blends. Biodiesel can be manufactured into a wide range of qualities and engine performance may be significantly impacted by low-quality diesel products.

There are virtually no performances differences between American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) grade biodiesel and petroleum diesel fuel.

Supplies of commercial biodiesel are currently limited, although specialty retailers have begun to emerge. For the latest information on sourcing product, see the suppliers listed on the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association website.

Biogas

Any organic material can be used in anaerobic digestion. Other potential feedstocks in Alberta are food and meat processing waste, restaurant waste, municipal waste as well as spoiled or silaged crops.

Yes, a number of companies are established in the province to sell green power on to the grid from biogas plants. There are number of regulatory protocols to meet in order to permit this activity.