These projects follow the October 2009 memorandum of understanding (MoU) between BCBN and Terasen to work together to advance the development and commercialization of bioenergy technologies in British Columbia.
The first investment provided up to $200000, half the costs of a Terasen-led feasibility study for the establishment of a community energy system in partnership with the City of Quesnel.
The feasibility study will be focused on establishment of investment grade financial forecasts, confirmation of ownership and operating structure, and creation of legal agreements. Should the project proceed, the grant will be repaid to BCBN.
The second project is for a $200,000 grant for a proposed biogas project, currently pending British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) approval, which would capture waste methane at the Columbia Shuswap Regional District’s (CSRD) Salmon Arm landfill, upgrade it to pipeline quality natural gas, and deliver it into the existing Terasen Gas distribution system.
The BCBN funding will also leverage Terasen’s investment in an upgrade system based on technology developed in British Columbia by Xebec Technologies.
The total project costs for the upgrading portion of the project are $1.35m and when plant commissioning, site work, and system main re-enforcement are included, the overall project costs total $1.97m.
Terasen, in cooperation with their project partners, have also agreed to work with the BC Bioenergy Network to share the environmental and economic results of the Salmon Arm project by establishing Collaborative Development and Demonstration Centers.
