in BRief... Nexterra expands Nexterra Systems Corp., a supplier of biomass gasification solutions, has added three new execu- tives to its North American sales force, strengthening the company’s strategic focus on regional biomass energy opportunities. The new senior sales executives will be responsible for supporting the growing demand for Nexterra’s commercial proprietary gasification technology in key markets within the institutional and industrial sectors. CFB Gagetown considers biomass heat New Brunswick Canadian Forces Base Gagetown is considering installing a biomass boiler and district heating system to heat 95 buildings on the base. The installation would occur as part of a 10-year, $40-million energy performance contract between Defence Construction Canada and Direct Energy Business Services Limited. If the installation goes ahead, biomass will likely be procured through a competitive request for proposals. St.Marys Paper applies for cogen St. Marys Paper of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, is proposing a $170-million cogeneration plant to produce steam and electricity from wood waste to power the mill. The cogen plant is expected to require more than 500 tons/day of biomass. The company is hoping to sell electricity to the Ontario power grid as part of the project and has submitted an application to Ontario Power Authority for a 10-year 35-MW purchase agreement. A decision is expected in August. New auction website for biomass equipment BiomassEquipmentAuction.com has set up an Internet-based auction site geared towards the buying and selling of equipment and facilities for biomass, biodiesel, ethanol, and other alternative fuels. The site allows members to post equipment and gives buyers the opportunity to bid on the equipment they need in one central location, connecting buyers and sellers worldwide. AP fuels proposes woodto biodiesel Michael O’Shea of Donnacona, Quebec, has founded Montreal-based AP Fuels, with a view to building five large-scale biorefineries to produce second-generation biofuels from wood, writes Globe and Mail reporter Konrad Yakabuski. If successful, the projects, estimated at $1.2-billion each, would provide new life to the hard-hit Quebec forestry industry. O’Shea’s idea is to use technology from Choren Industries of Germany to covert woody biomass to liquid biodiesel. He estimates that each AP Fuel biorefinery would produce 630 million litres of biodiesel annually. Northern Ontario bioeconomy The Township of Chapleau, Ontario, and the Superior East Community Futures Development Corporation held a one-day workshop in June for local industries, communities, First Nations, and the bioeconomy research sector to discuss the potential development of a cluster of value- added forest product businesses. Such a bioeconomy industry cluster would provide a competi- tive advantage for businesses by facilitating synergies among the various entities. Funding of $8,500 for the workshop was provided by Ontario’s Northern Communities Investment Readiness Initiative. White River & Pic Mobert purchase Domtar mill In a June press release, the Township of White River and Pic Mobert First Nation announced that they have purchased the White River sawmill and assets from Domtar. The mill, which closed in July 2007, had an annual production capacity of 110 million board feet of lumber. The plan, pending approvals, is to expand the existing cogeneration plant, start up a wood pellet plant, and eventually restart the sawmill. MORE BIOMASS NEWS AT WWW.CANADIANBIOMASSMAGAZINE.COM CanadianBIOMASS 7
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