Village Farms International will have a feasibility study done on capturing and using carbon dioxide from Vancouver Landfill’s gas.
The East Ladner greenhouse received funding this spring for the study, which will be conducted by Hallbar Consulting, a local sustainability consultancy firm, in partnership with the Swedish Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering.
The project has received support through the Investment Agriculture Foundation of B.C. as part of adaptation funding provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. The B.C. Greenhouse Growers’ Association, B.C. Food Processors Association and Air Liquide have also provided financial and in-kind supportive services.
“We are proud to support this ambitious and innovative initiative,” says Ken Bates, Investment Agriculture Foundation of B.C. chair and a crop and dairy producer in Delta. “As farmers, we know the value of reducing or re-purposing waste and we congratulate Village Farms as they help create value for B.C. agriculture while enhancing environmental impacts.”
Capturing and utilizing carbon dioxide, often seen as a waste stream from landfill gas, will be of great benefit for the environment and businesses that want to use carbon dioxide instead of fossil fuel, said Michael DeGiglio, president and CEO of Village Farms.
“Once again as a company Village Farms has aligned itself to be on the forefront of clean technology,” said DeGiglio. “We are pleased to be a part of this initiative with the potential for far-reaching positive impacts not only for business but for people and the environment.”
Last year, Village Farms pulled off a deal that brought it into the electric generation business with the acquisition of Maxim Power (B.C.) Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Maxim Power Corp., for approximately $5.2 million. The new name of the company is VF Clean Energy Inc.
Maxim Power developed and operates a co-generation facility adjacent to the Village Farms greenhouse, using methane gas from the Vancouver Landfill to generate electricity for B.C. Hydro and thermal heat for the greenhouse.
The co-generation facility, which has been in operation since 2004, will continue to produce electricity under an existing long-term power purchase agreement with B.C. Hydro as well as heat for the greenhouse.
