The BC Bioenergy Network is investing $1.5 million in a $7.5 million Delta project demonstrating technology that cleans up landfill gas to create a cleaner-burning fuel, hydrogen for fuel cells and carbon dioxide for use in greenhouses.
The loan will go to Vancouver's Quadrogen Power Systems, Inc., which is testing its technology in partnership with Delta greenhouse operator Village Farms.
The gas extracted from landfills is heavy in pollutants, including siloxanes, which clog up internal combustion engines.
The Quadrogen process removes contaminants to provide a cleaner fuel that can either be burned in engines or injected into natural gas streams. It can also produce hydrogen for fuel cells and carbon dioxide for greenhouses.
Village Farms has greenhouses located near Vancouver's landfill. The demonstration project will be done in two phases – the first demonstrating the technology itself, the second demonstrating commercial viability.
"This best-in-class project will demonstrate biogas clean-up to levels never achieved before," said Michael Weedon, BC Bioenergy Network's executive director.
"Quadrogen's technology looks to be an all-around winner, with the potential to enhance environmental benefits and generate significant revenue streams for municipalities and private operators."
Quadrogen has already received $2.6 million in funding from Sustainable Development Technology Canada, and $1 million from the provincial government's Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) fund.
"This technology will allow greenhouse operators to improve their competitiveness by making their operations more environmentally and economically sustainable through the use of biogas," said federal agriculture minister Gerry Ritz.
