Regional Energy Ecosystems in Support of Energy Autonomy and Resilience

In the current context of growing concern about reducing carbon emissions and managing waste responsibly, cogeneration plants - particularly those located near major urban centers in Quebec - are key players in the province's circular economy.

The latest data published by Recyc-Québec reveal a worrying deterioration in the valorization of wood residues from construction, renovation and demolition (CRD), both from the point of view of recycling and energy recovery. Between 2018 and 2021, recycling rates fell from 55% to 46%, while energy recovery declined from 44% to 41%. This situation prompts us to explore new approaches to encourage the responsible management of these materials, notably by using them as a clean fuel source.

However, current waste disposal tipping fees do not provide sufficient incentive for CRD generators to improve sorting and promote recycling. Moreover, the difficulties associated with labor shortages and complex manual operations further complicate the sorting process at sorting centers.

A number of solutions are available to meet these challenges. Among them, the adoption of a remuneration model equivalent to tipping fees for cogeneration plants could stimulate the energy recovery of urban biomass.

Kruger and its subsidiary, Kruger Energy, have devoted many years to developing solutions to increase the value of urban biomass in Quebec, notably through their Brompton cogeneration plant. The aim of this presentation is to discuss the central role that cogeneration plants can play towards a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly future for the province as a whole.

Regional Energy Ecosystems (REE) are part of the government's intention to promote the local and regional production and consumption of green hydrogen and bioenergies in order to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, secure our supplies by increasing our energy autonomy, improve our balance of trade and enhance the competitiveness of our businesses.

Presentation of the government approach and actions undertaken to deploy the REE concept in Quebec.

As the world faces growing challenges related to energy security and climate change, the search for sustainable and resilient energy solutions has taken on great importance. Quebec is endowed with significant biomass resources, and offers a promising political context for the development of regional energy ecosystems based on bioenergy. By combining bioenergy production with regional economic development, Quebec can leverage its bioresources to stimulate economic growth and reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Given the finite nature of biomass resources, their use should be focused on applications that deliver a substantial reduction in GHG emissions for which there is no technically and economically available better alternative. In addition, regional economic activities derived from biomass must be maximized to ensure the long-term sustainability of the solutions implemented. In this work, a multi-criteria approach was developed to identify and prioritize the most promising uses of biomass, taking into account several criteria such as GHG emission reduction potential, project technical complexity, regional biomass availability, bioenergy conversion and utilization efficiency, the absence of technically or economically preferable alternatives (e.g. direct electrification), the possibility of generating negative emission credits if they are eventually recognized, and regional economic benefits.

The methodology developed can be applied directly to the development of regional ecosystems, enabling the identification of the best bioenergy applications in a context of limited resources and increased competition between the various stakeholders in a regional ecosystem. The results of this study show that decarbonizing Quebec's industrial sector could require up to three times more biomass than the amount of logging residues available for bioenergy applications. Resource arbitrage may be required to maximize the decarbonization potential of a regional ecosystem and of Quebec as a whole.

Biomass is of growing interest to many sectors aiming to decarbonize because of its energy value and intrinsic chemical value. Each of these sectors needs volumes, prices, certain qualities and stability of supply over a long period. Unlike other energy sources, forest biomass is dispersed over large areas, and its availability is closely dependent on the valorization of other forest and tree products, such as lumber and chips for paper products. Moreover, the valorization of biomass in bioproducts will also depend on the value of the bioproducts, the characteristics and complexity of each product's value chain. To take full advantage of biomass, we must consider other equally important factors, such as the volumes required to meet needs, and the profitability of biomass use. It is also now clear that climate change will not only create new needs, but also affect supplies. It is therefore clear that the development of the biomass sector must take into account a large number of factors. Optimal integration of the biomass sector will depend on the regional situation and the economic ecosystem currently established, and on the possible synergies between the industrial sectors interested in this biomass.

The presentation will highlight the various factors involved, and suggest possible solutions for maximizing the value of the forest for all existing and new players.

This presentation will focus on the history and current operating context of the Société de cogénération de St-Félicien. It will outline current development projects and the potential of a thermal power plant process that produces energy from residual biomass.

Presentation of the challenges of the forest biomass supply chain, our experiences in the field and the conclusion of our analyses in order to make the supply chain functional for bioeconomy projects aimed at using this available resource, which is not as easy as it may seem!

Finally, presentation of our vision for the future through our current projects which will enable the optimal use of the forest biomass supply chain to produce various types of bioproducts (Biochar) and bioenergy (Green Hydrogen), while also optimizing the use of our thermal waste through a heat distribution network.

Quebec's forests cover a vast territory and are put to a multitude of uses. These uses include the development of resources by various industries, notably wood processing, to meet society's needs. Moreover, Quebec's objectives in terms of combating and adapting to climate change accentuate the importance of making judicious use of forests and wood. Among other things, the development of forest biomass for bioenergy production, as a complement to the production of long-lasting wood products, is a relevant management tool in the current context. This presentation will outline the current status of bioenergy in Quebec, present the MRNF's major orientations and measures in this field, and offer an overview of its potential, particularly with regard to the recovery of forest biomass from regular harvesting or natural disturbances (spruce budworms, fires).

Given the importance of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, social, political and economic players in the Ottawa region face a number of challenges: the social acceptability of the energy transition, the prioritization of decarbonization actions, and the ability to ensure the energy transition. The municipal sector is also concerned by the energy transition, as community development is intimately related to it.

Over the past 2 years, regional councillors have been prompted by a number of renewable energy projects, such as solar production, waste heat recovery, RNG, biochar and biofuel production, methane recovery from landfill sites, transport electrification, etc. On the other hand, discussions on reducing and optimizing energy needs are less forthcoming. How can elected representatives prioritize these projects?

To address these issues, CREDDO is proposing to conduct a study, in the form of an energy transition plan for the Ottawa region, to identify current and future needs, and then explore development potential. The energy transition plan will present a concrete, quantified analysis of the region's projected energy needs.

The objectives of the project are: i) to take stock of the energy situation in the region, ii) to map out energy transition scenarios in consultation with stakeholders, iii) to identify the means of achieving a successful energy transition, iv) to document the project implementation process so that it can be replicated in other regions of Quebec, and finally, v) to provide the region, and consequently local governments, with an action plan that prioritizes local strengths. The project is based on an innovative governance structure, and combines the latest climate modelling technologies with a regional stakeholder consultation exercise.

To achieve this, CREDDO is counting on the support of the Ministère de l'Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs and the Ministère de l'Économie, de l'Innovation et de l'Énergie.