Ottawa: Regular motorists get taste of cellulosic ethanol
Eastern Ontario AgriNews / Nelson Zandbergen / July 2009
The world's first gas station to sell standard ethanol-blended gas made from cellulose instead of grain was set to wrap up a successful four-week trial run this month.
Starting June 10, the Esso station at 1548 Merivale Rd. was the only place on the planet where consumers with normal gasoline vehicles could fuel up with 10-per-cent ethanol produced from straw, not the usual corn.
The cellulosic ethanol came from Iogen Energy Corporation's Ottawa demonstration plant that has been producing the next-generation biofuel since 2004.
"This one small retail station in Ottawa is one big step forward for advanced biofuels globally," said federal Transport and Infrastructure Minister John Baird. "This is a great day for Canadian technology and proof that Canada's commitment to developing low CO2 fuels is starting to pay dividends for the environment, farmers and consumers."
"This is the first opportunity for the public to pull up and fill up with cellulosic ethanol," said Iogen spokesperson Mandy Chepeka, estimating that 60,000 litres of the fuel would be consumed at the station through July 10.
The milestone comes as partners Shell and Iogen are looking at setting up a full-scale commercial cellulosic ethanol plant in a former Domtar pulp and paper mill near St. Albert, Saskatchewn, according to Chepeka. However, she added that "no final investment decision has been made" and feasibility studies, an environmental assessment and public consultations would also need to be finished before the 70-million-litres-per year facility becomes operational.
The current Ottawa plant is capable of producing 5,000 litres daily from 25 to 30 tonnes of dry wheat straw, if pressed into service around the clock. "But it's not operating 24-7," Chepeka noted.
