Biodiesel Program - NSERC
The Olds College Centre for Innovation is responding to an increasing industry need to improve the financial viability of agricultural products and to open markets for agricultural by-products. The BioFuel Technology Centre opened on the Olds College campus in 2007 and is leading research into the production and use of renewable fuel. In 2009, the Biodiesel Production, Alternative Feedstock and Commercial Adoption project, led by Dr. Abimbola Abiola at Olds College, was approved by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). This five year biodiesel project will focus on increasing biodiesel production for research purposes, agronomic and processing trials of alternative feedstock, process optimization and enhanced byproduct utilization. The grant awarded was $2.3 million and to date, industry contributions exceed $600,000, resulting in a current project budget exceeding $2.9 million.
The biodiesel project is a major undertaking at Olds College Centre for Innovation, providing benefits to: 1) industry through research into biodiesel production and process optimization for heat, electricity and transport, 2) the agricultural sector by exploring alternative uses for locally grown commodities, and 3) Olds College students by providing dynamic learning opportunities in applied research.
The Biodiesel project involves the following primary partners:
NSERC - Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
AACTI - Alberta Assoication of Colleges & Technical Institutions
What is Biodiesel / Biogas and how is it produced?
Biodiesel is a renewable fuel produced through a chemical reaction using vegetable oils or animal fats. It can be used as a fuel source in diesel engines.
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Roadside Weeds Make High Quality Biodiesel
Farmers in the Peace River area of Northern Alberta will soon be producing green fuel from a common weed, thanks to research done at Olds College. (more)