Ontario Power Generation

Biomass Energy

OPG is targeting 2012 as the year it will begin using renewable biomass as a replacement fuel for coal in some of its electricity generating units. Biomass is a fuel that is carbon neutral. Unlike oil, gas or coal, its use does not contribute to climate change.

Biomass is plant material from agricultural and forest sources that can be used to produce energy. It can take the form of harvested plant material or by-products of processing operations like wood chips, grain milling by-products and crop stover or stubble.

Large silos store biomass fuel.

Biomass has the potential to play an important role in reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by replacing coal which OPG will phase out by the end of 2014. Mixing biomass with coal is already a well established practice in several European countries. OPG's biomass program will not use food crops for fuel. All fuel sources must meet the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change definition of renewable.

Currently, OPG is conducting a number of important technical studies including a safe handling and storage analysis, combustion and ash studies, fuel specification development, as well as engineering concept studies at each of the coal-fired stations.

Biomass Lifecycle

As plants grow carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change, is absorbed from the atmosphere. When they are used to make electricity the carbon dioxide stored by the biomass is released. No new greenhouse gases are produced making biomass fuel ‘carbon neutral’ and better than fossil fuels which are major contributors in climate change.

Carbon Dioxide Lifecycle

OPG contracted the University of Toronto to conduct an assessment of the full lifecycle carbon emissions associated with the use of wood pellets as biomass fuel. The UofT Lifecycle Assessment of Wood Pellet Use summary presentation is available for review. (This research was published in Environmental Science and Technology / Vol. 44, No. 1, 2010.)

Project to Commercialize Agricultural Biomass for
Combustion Energy

OPG and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), with the support of the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MEI), have initiated a project to coordinate the analysis of the feasibility of a commercial agricultural biomass industry for the production of combustion energy in Ontario.

The project is being led by a Steering Committee representing a cross section of agriculture, industry, academic, and government experts. Under their direction, the project will examine the role agricultural biomass might have in producing power and heat to help reduce net greenhouse gas emissions, to help meet Ontario's climate change commitments and to help meet renewable energy targets. Information about the work of the Steering Committee can be found on the OMAFRA website, http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/engineer/biomass/index.htm.

See a video on the testing of biomass in Ontario.

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Download more information on biomass energy.

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Download your copy of OPG's Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) for Supply and Transportation of Solid Biomass Fuel.
(January 20, 2009)

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Download our latest stakeholder update.

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