BOPI Reporting Guidelines
The federal Biofuels Opportunities for Producers Initiative (BOPI) was designed to help farmers and rural communities hire experts who can assist in developing business proposals and undertake feasibility and other studies necessary to create and expand biofuels production capacity involving significant (greater than one-third) ownership by agricultural producers.
The Agriculture and Food Council administered BOPI in Alberta on behalf of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. From 2006 to 2008, the Council invested $5 million in 27 feasibility studies, business plans, engineering studies and other research undertaken by industry ground-breakers. This allowed the clients to access valuable information to make informed decisions on the development of the biofuels industry in Alberta.
The Council is compiling a comprehensive study of projects funded in Alberta under BOPI to facilitate access to their findings, enhancing the public’s knowledge and understanding of biofuels initiatives. The study focuses on four key areas: agricultural producer investment models, factors affecting project viability, challenges and problems, and decisions and conclusions made by proponents.
Inquiries about BOPI in Alberta may be directed to Cory Rybuck, Executive Director of Federal Programs at 1-866-955-3714 ext. 235.
Pour l’information en français, veuillez nous contacter à caap-pcaa@agfoodcouncil.com ou au 780-955-3714.
BOPI Alberta Success Story
Gartley Farm Industries – A Feasibility Study to Establish a Biofuel Refining Facility in Alberta
Gartley Farm Industries Inc. is a corporation, representing a consortium of First Nations, agricultural producers, the University of Calgary, and an energy production company. Their BOPI project initially focused on the supply and economics of the use of first generation feedstocks (canola, animal fats, etc) for the production of biodiesel in east central Alberta. This was considered not viable for the conditions they were exploring, and the project then evolved to a second generation biofuels platform. It began on the identification of the opportunities for the use of microbes and algae for the production of second generation biomass feedstocks, concurrent with direct mitigation of greenhouse gases (GHGs).
The project was to evaluate the technical and economic potential of producing biomass for subsequent biofuel and other bioproducts, using GHGs as the primary feedstock for the process, through a pilot plant, and then to fully commercialize the technology in the market. The main deliverable has been an economic feasibility assessment of conventional biofuels feedstock supply and costs, and then the design of a proof of concept project with industry, using second generation feedstocks and novel biological technologies. A new company has been formed for this purpose, with additional investment attracted from industry and government. A major achievement has been to attract the attention and interest of major oil and gas companies who see the potential of the conversion of GHGs into new forms of biomass using biological processes, at the same time as reducing emissions and costs.
The new company, Tahkine Energy Solutions is now undertaking piloting to prove up their systems and technologies. BOPI investment in Gartley’s project was $93,638 and the total value was $210,638 with contributions and collaboration from the consortium.
