February 22, 2012

Agenda
Registration

Agri-Energy Forum
Tradex, Abbotsford
January 26 - 27, 2012

On-line Registration closes at 5 pm (PST) Monday, January 23. Registration can be purchased on-site at Tradex – download the form (see link above right) and take it with you.

Agri-Energy Forum Registration
Register Online

Introducing the Agri-energy Forum

Renewable energy technology adoption continues to grow. Globally, farmers and food processors are increasingly taking advantage of renewable agri-energy technologies to maintain a more stable financial condition through energy independence, and diversification beyond conventional agricultural-based income sources.

Building on last year’s event, the 2012 Agri-energy Forum will explore in greater detail the opportunities and barriers of several renewable agri-energy technologies. This will enable attendees to better determine which renewable agri-energy technologies are most suitable for adoption in B.C.’s agricultural sector.

Thursday January 26

Forum chair: Matt Dickson, Renewable Agri-energy Initiative (ARDCorp), Abbotsford

11:50 - 1:10pm

BBQ Lunch (Dairy Producers Tent): Ticket required

1:10 – 1:20pm

Welcome address

  • Garnet Etsell, BC Agriculture Council, Abbotsford

1:20 - 2:40pm

Renewable agri-energy support programs (panel)

  • Panel chair: Sandy Ferguson, B.C. Bioenergy Network, Vancouver
  • FortisBC, Surrey
  • BC Hydro, Vancouver
  • Colleen Colwell, B.C. Ministry of Agriculture, Victoria
  • Heather Carriere, B.C. Agricultural Research and Development Corporation, Abbotsford
B.C. is home to several programs designed to facilitate renewable agri-energy production. This panel will discuss these programs to provide greater clarity regarding their availability and support.

2:40 – 3:40pm

Solar-thermal (panel)

  • Panel chair: Lisa Levesque, B.C. Ministry of Agriculture, Victoria
  • Mirko Slivar, Stantec, Kelowna
  • Leo Gebert, St. Hubertus Winery, Kelowna
Solar-thermal systems collect radiation from the sun to heat and cool air and water for agricultural applications. This session will discuss the use and applicability of this technology for B.C.’s agricultural sector.

Friday January 27

9:30 –10:50am

Anaerobic digestion (panel)

  • Chair: Dave Melnychuk, Environmental Farm Planning Advisor, Langley
  • Ethan Werner, CH-Four Biogas, Vancouver
  • John De Jonge, Avatar Canada, Abbotsford
  • Craig Frear, Washington State University, Pullman
On-farm anaerobic digestion presents B.C.’s agricultural sector with an opportunity to convert organic waste into energy. This panel will present research and project updates pertinent to this exciting technology.
Cowpower

10:50 – 11:20am

Cowpower: The official launch

Cowpower’s mission is to facilitate development of anaerobic digestion systems through the sale of environmental attributes. This session will introduce the program and will mark the official launch of Cowpower in B.C.

11:20 – 12:20pm

Geo-exchange (panel)

  • Panel chair: Bob Paul, B.C. Ministry of Agriculture, Victoria
  • Jeff Quibell, JDQ Engineering, Vernon
  • Richard Yntema, North Okanagan Game Meats, Enderby
Geoexchange take advantage of constant ground temperature to deliver heating and cooling for agricultural applications. This session will discuss the use and applicability of this technology for B.C.’s agricultural sector.

12:20 – 1:50pm

Lunch: Sponsored by The Environmental Farm Plan Program. Ticket required (Dairy Producers Tent).

Lunchtime speaker: Loch McJannett, Clean Energy BC, Vancouver

1:50 – 2:35pm

Energy efficiency

  • Chair: Emily MacNair, Climate Action Initiative (BCAC), Victoria
  • Sam Thomas, Prism Engineering, Burnaby
Reducing energy costs in agricultural operations can be easier than you think. This session will provide information on key opportunities for reducing energy use and discuss tools to support energy efficiency.

2:35 – 4:00pm

Project financing and carbon offsets

  • Panel chair: Matt Dickson, Renewable Agri-energy Initiative (ARDCorp), Abbotsford
  • Maureen Cureton and Paul Stewart, Vancity, Vancouver
  • RBC, Abbotsford
  • Andrew Leitch, Offsetters, Vancouver
Capital and carbon financing are key to the success of any renewable and energy efficiency project. These presentations will discuss capital and carbon financing options and opportunities for agricultural projects in B.C

4:00 – 6:00pm

Drinks reception (in the Loft, above the food court)

Registration includes 2 free drink tickets.
Please join us in the Loft for a few complimentary drinks and snacks with your fellow attendees and presenters.

A big thank you to all the Forum Sponsors

Sponsors