CHIN, Alta. – Chris Perry calls it Grow the Energy Circle Ltd.
It’s Grow-tec, for short.
The fourth generation southern Alberta farmer is preparing to embark on a renewable energy project that will produce electricity, fertilizer and heat from cull potatoes and other biodegradable waste.
Material produced from this process will be returned to the land or used in other green projects.
Perry and family invited the community to see and comment on the plan at an April 14 open house in the landmark Perry potato domes along Highway 3 near Chin.
Read Also
First annual Ag in Motion Junior Cattle Show kicks off with a bang
Ag in Motion 2025 had its first annual junior cattle show on July 15. The show hosted more than 20…
“We’re looking at the development process right now, so we’re doing public consultation and trying to get the word out exactly what we’re doing, so it’s factual information and no rumours,” he said.
The anaerobic digester waste-to-energy facility will be legally classified as a waste management facility, but Perry said its renewable nature takes it beyond simple disposal.
“The anaerobic digester by itself is just a power generator,” he said.
“Really, we’re looking at the synergies created, and the reason we can feel good about making it work is
CHRIS PERRY GROW THE ENERGY CIRCLE PRESIDENT
with the farm, using some of the byproducts from the farm.”
Methane from the biodigester will power a V-20 engine that will run a 630 kilowatt generator. The biodigester is expected to process about 65 tonnes per day of waste feedstock.
The project will use waste from his farm and others, such as cull potatoes, other culled vegetable matter, livestock manure, aquatic weed from irrigation canals and biodegradable household waste.
It will produce enough electricity to service the 3,500 acre Perry farm and its 20,000 ton potato storage facilities. Excess green power will go into the electrical grid.
“We’re a family farm trying to do the right thing,” said Perry about Perry Produce, CKP Farms and Perry Quest, which he operates with his brother, Harold, and his father, Gerald.
“We’ve always had a real passion for renewable energy.”
If all goes according to plan, the biodigester will be operational in September 2012.
Perry said a feasibility study is completed, but permits must be obtained from the Municipal District of Taber and Alberta Environment.
He obtained $470,000 through Alberta’s bioenergy grant program, which he said constitutes eight to 10 percent of the estimated total project cost. Return on investment will depend on spin-off projects.
One possibility is a greenhouse to use heat, carbon dioxide, nutrient-rich effluent and power produced by the biodigester and generator.
An algae farm, which could produce feedstock for an ethanol plant, is another idea.
Perry said the family is now looking for customers interested in being part of the project.
Highmark Renewables will provide technology and expertise for the plant.
Mike Kotelko of Highmark operates a successful biodigester and electrical generator at Kotelko Feedlots near Hairy Hill, Alta., which primarily processes feedlot manure. He sees potential for the Perry project.
“These byproducts (potatoes, vegetable matter) have much higher energy content in them,” Kotelko said.
“Without increasing the capital cost, they can add a lot of energy generation capacity. The overall economics do depend on what feedstock you use.”
The project is one-quarter the size of the Kotelko operation but is designed to expand.
Kotelko said biofertilizer is an important byproduct. The biodigestion process removes pathogens and odour, leaving a spreadable byproduct that is richer than livestock manure.
“We think that value-added processes will follow the building of the biogas plant,” said Kotelko.
“It certainly would have a high value in the horticultural marketplace, so we plan to help the Perrys build a facility around their core business and add value to not only their operation but other operations around it.”
