Enerkem To Receive Funding from Alberta Energy for Edmonton Waste-to-Biofuels Facility

Enerkem Inc., a waste-to-biofuels and advanced chemicals company, has been selected by Alberta Energy to receive  C$3.35 million (US$3.2 million) in funding from the Biorefining Commercialization and Market Development Program for its future Edmonton waste-to-biofuels facility, operated under the name of Enerkem GreenField Alberta Biofuels (EGAB).

This program is designed to stimulate investment in Alberta’s bio-energy sector through the construction of ethanol, biodiesel and biogas facilities in the province. This funding is in addition to the $20 million financial contribution made by Enerkem’s partners in this project, the City of Edmonton and Alberta Innovates – Energy and Environment Solutions.

Enerkem uses a thermochemical gasification process to produce a uniform syngas, which is subsequently converted into liquid fuels, such as ethanol, as well as biochemicals. The technology is able to process diverse carbon-based feedstocks, including sorted municipal solid waste, construction and demolition wood, as well as agricultural and forest residues. Enerkem’s technology can convert one tonne of raw material (dry base) into 360 liters (95 gallons) of cellulosic ethanol.

Enerkem’s Edmonton biofuels project was announced in 2008 and received its environmental permit in 2009. The plant will divert more residential waste from landfills, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and produce a green transportation fuel. It will also directly contribute to meeting the provincial and federal renewable fuel standards by producing enough ethanol locally to fuel 400,000 cars per year, running on a 5% ethanol blend.

It will soon start the construction of its waste-to-biofuel plant in Edmonton, AB, Canada and is currently developing a similar project in Mississippi, for which it was awarded US$50 million in funding by the US Department of Energy (DOE).

In February, Waste Management made a strategic investment in Enerkem. (Earlier post.)