Originally published July 3 2005
New technology used to create green energy in Canada
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Alberta Research Council (ARC) and Highmark Renewables have recently inaugurated a new plant that transforms manure into energy, bio-based fertilizers and reusable water, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts associated with land application of manure.
The Alberta Research Council (ARC) and Highmark Renewables were on hand today to mark the official opening of a new pilot plant at Highland Feeders, one of Canada's largest feedlot operations.
The plant demonstrates new technology developed jointly by ARC and Highmark Renewables to transform manure into energy, bio-based fertilizers and reusable water, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts associated with land application of manure.
The Integrated Manure Utilization System, or IMUS, combines anaerobic digestion, biogas utilization, liquid/solid separation, nutrient recovery and enrichment processes.
"The Government of Canada is proud to be a partner in a project with many far-reaching benefits, such as reduced greenhouse gas emissions, increased use of renewable energy sources and a strong and diverse agricultural industry.
"It's very exciting to be on the leading edge of new technology that can generate multiple benefits to Canada's agriculture industry," says Mike Kotelko, vice president of Highland Feeders and manager of Highmark Renewables.
"Manure, second to beef in value, is the most important output of our operation in terms of social, economic and environmental sustainability.
"We've been able to demonstrate that this process works in a tough outdoor environment, involving extreme temperature fluctuations, and with a raw material --- high-solid manure --- that, in itself, presents many challenges.
ARC is currently adapting this technology to include other biomass sources, such as liquid manure, food-processing waste, livestock mortalities, rendering materials and municipal wastes.
Some of this power, about 200 to 300 kilowatts, is being used to power the feedlot operation.
Our integrated, multi-disciplinary teams help our customers and partners take technologies from the laboratory to the field, strengthening their competitiveness and sustainability.
Other partners include Alberta Research Council, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Environment Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Technology Early Action Measures (TEAM), Energy Co-generation from Agricultural and Municipal Wastes, Green Municipal Investment Fund, Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Program for Canadian Agriculture, Alberta Agricultural Research Institute, and Climate Change Central.
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