PARTNERSHIP TO USE WOOD RESIDUE TO CREATE ELECTRICITY

Released on October 2, 2003

A new project in LaRonge will look at the possibility of turning wood into power. The two-year project with SaskPower, Saskatchewan Research Council and Ecology Energy, at Zelensky Brothers saw mill will demonstrate Ecology Energy's technology that uses wood residue to generate electricity and heat.

"Using wood residue to produce power has tremendous economic and environmental potential within our province's growing forestry industry," Minister Responsible for SaskPower Andrew Thomson said. "This demonstration project reflects the commitment of the provincial government to minimize the impact electrical generation has on the environment while maintaining a secure supply of electricity."

Heat and pressure are applied to wood residue in a wood gasifier. This creates methane, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide gas, which is then used to power two generator engines to create electricity. Some of the gas created will also be used in the operation of the wood gasifier. The left over ash will be disposed of in accordance with Provincial and Municipal requirements.

"We are very pleased to be here in Saskatchewan and participating in this demonstration project of our breakthrough technology," CEO of Ecology Energy Paul Finestone said.

"A project of this scope is an exciting next step in developing wood residue conversion applications. It could lay the basis for multiple conversion plants," President and CEO, Saskatchewan Research Council Dr. Laurier Schramm said. "The research indicates this approach to using wood residues will improve the economic benefits and equally significant, reduce the environmental impact of forest based industries."

"For years, the forestry industry has been searching for innovative ways to utilize wood residue that is currently being stockpiled or incinerated at mills throughout Saskatchewan. Power and heat generation from wood residue suits the environmental, economic and energy needs of a viable forest products manufacturing industry in Northern Saskatchewan," Co-owner of Zelensky Bros. Forest Products Brian Zelensky said.

Today's announcement is a major part of the Green Power Portfolio, which also includes a joint venture with ATCO Power to construct 150 megawatts of wind power in the province, a recent expansion of the Cypress Wind Power Facility, solicitation of small-scale Environmentally Preferred Power generation projects from the private sector, and community energy efficiency pilot projects which have already begun in Watrous and Lanigan.

SaskPower currently partners with Clear-Green Environmental Inc. in a demonstration project testing the feasibility of using biogas created from hog manure to produce electricity. SaskPower also partners with Flatland Exploration Inc. and SaskEnergy in a demonstration project testing the feasibility of using flare gas to power two microturbines. SaskPower and SaskEnergy also partner in a demonstration project at the Regina General Hospital that uses microturbines to generate heat and electricity.

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For More Information, Contact:

Larry Christie SaskPower Regina Phone: (306)566-3167	Paul Finestone Ecology Energy Phone: (818)995-6706
Doug Soveran Saskatchewan Research Council Phone: (306)787-9331	Brian Zelensky Zelensky Brothers sawmill Phone: (306)425-2239