The Agence de l’efficacité énergétique granted $128,985 in financial assistance to Valbio Canada for the demonstration of an innovative conditioning system to optimize the biomethanization process at Laiterie Charlevoix.
The system designed by Valbio Canada makes it possible to process suspended and aerobic sludges from dairy operations that are normally sent to a landfill site. These sludges will now be used to produce biomethane, a source of energy and, as a consequence, reduce the cost of disposing of them. To attain this ambitious goal, the company must validate a number of criteria, including the optimal processing temperature, the types of enzymes needed, and the other steps required to improve the performance of the biomethanization process, the ultimate goal of this technological demonstration project.
If it can successfully replace natural gas, propane, and light fuel oil, this technology will make it possible to reduce GHG emissions considerably by 2015. The anticipated decrease in GHG emissions would be the equivalent of removing 135 vehicles from the road.
Valbio Canada specializes in the production of bioenergy from organic waste of all sorts: agricultural residues, organic municipal waste, etc. Methanization is at the heart of the systems produced by Valbio. They make it possible to produce methane-rich biogas, a renewable, environmentally friendly energy source.
The financial assistance from the Agence de l’efficacité énergétique was granted under the Energy Innovation Assistance Program (PAIE), which is intended to support the development of new energy efficient and emerging energy technologies.
To apply for assistance under the PAIE Program, please consult the PAIE section.
To find out more about AEE programs, consult the Programs and financial assistance section.
Lexicon
Biomethanization: A biological process used to produce methane from organic waste. During the process, a mixture of methane, carbon dioxide, and small amounts of other gases is produced. The mixture is called biogas.
Suspended sludge: Sludge essentially composed of fats and oils from cheesemaking waste.
Aerobic sludge: Sludge from the aerobic clarifier (treated in the presence of oxygen).
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