Grass Energy

A Lawrencetown firm could contribute to new energy efficient heating

Using grass as a source of fuel was the latest energy efficient project presented to municipal council by West Nova Agro Commodities Ltd.

Spokesperson Jonathan McClellan told council’s Aug. 23 meeting that West Nova Agro has been working on a proposal for two years to develop a grass pellet and briquette (fire logs) plant and use grass as a fuel source.

The Lawrencetown-based company estimates the project will cost $1.5 million and its objective is to produce between 4,000 to 10,000 tons of grass pellets or briquettes on an annual basis. Their focus market would be from Berwick to Digby and Yarmouth counties.

“What we’re looking at is a business model we believe can be replicated through other areas of the province,” McClellan said. “It’s a program that can help agriculture and forestry communities transition to providing an energy crop, which is more stable and the price doesn’t seem to be going down.”

The plan is to bring in round bales of hay, grind it up and press it into pellets or fire logs. Their existing plant in Lawrencetown now handles 4,000 tons of grain per year.

“With the land base available, our goal is that by the time we would be using 10,000 tons—which is in three to four years time—it will be putting $1 million back into the community every year,” he said. “There is a huge amount of land not being used and we would rather see crop coming up than it growing up in alders.”

McClellan said 10,000 tons of pellets could reduce oil consumption by five million litres, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 13,000 tonnes, “which would be similar to taking 3,000 cars off the road.”

Grass pellets are not a replacement for wood pellets, as there are some extra complications in burning grass pellets and fire logs, he said.

West Nova Agro is presenting the project to councils, municipalities and chamber of commerce in an effort to make people aware of the project and opportunities arising on potential use for biomass.

• Story by Leanne DeLong
• The Digby County Courier
• 2 Sep 2010