A study by UK Met Office scientists released last month warns of “catastrophic global warming in our lifetimes”. This finding challenged “the assumption that severe warming will only be a threat to future generations” and suggests that without strong action on emissions the “catastrophic rise in temperature could happen by 2060”. While the findings of the study are frightening, there are opportunities for rural regions like Hastings County to be leaders in Canada’s efforts to address climate change and shift towards a sustainable energy system. Right here in Hastings County, Donnandale Farms, a large dairy farm in Centre Hastings is one of a few Ontario farms looking to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels by operating an anaerobic digester to convert organic wastes into biogas.

A typical biogas system has inputs of organic waste, such as manure, fed into an anaerobic digester to be broken down by bacteria. This system results in the release of methane, carbon dioxide, and heat. Biogas systems can be implemented without altering the operations of the farm since the only difference is that the manure from the barns is pumped into the digester first and then the gas is burned for electricity before the digestate is moved to the field.

Biogas production can provide substantial opportunities for sustainable development in rural regions. The systems themselves lessen our reliance on fossil fuels and provide possibilities for improved waste management. The prospects of a thriving biogas industry in Ontario are seen by economic developers as a way to address some of the unique challenges faced by rural regions. The vision of a dynamic biogas cluster consists of farms across the province generating renewable energy and contributing to community-based energy projects. A cluster requires strong connections between biogas producers, engineers, equipment suppliers, municipal governments, and the public, and knowledge and information must flow easily between all actors in the industry.

There are several obstacles that need to be addressed before the vision of a biogas cluster can be realized. The cost of constructing an anaerobic digester can exceed $1 million and even with OMAFRA’s Biogas Financial Assistance Program, is still a major barrier for many farmers investigating biogas production. Another barrier that needs to be addressed is the difficulty that biogas producers can have connecting to the electrical grid in order to “sell” back the power they have generated. The infrastructure surrounding grid connection in Ontario is not set up to allow for power to easily flow in both directions, so there is a need to investigate two-way or smart-grid technologies.

While these barriers are significant, there is optimism regarding the growth of biogas in Ontario. Many farmers see biogas production as an investment in renewable energy and a reduction in their energy costs. This desire to produce renewable energy can be due to a number of factors, including a desire for independence, energy security, manure and waste management, and reduced reliance on non-renewable energy. The Ontario government has also realized the potential of biogas to contribute to a sustainable energy economy, reduce the province’s reliance on fossil fuels, provide a possible new source of income for farmers, and support the development of knowledge-intensive industries in rural regions.

However, biogas in Ontario is still in its infancy compared to on-farm energy production in other parts of the world. Growth in the renewable energy sector in Europe began in the early 1990’s and that growth has continued, as the number of digesters for biogas systems went from 500 or 1000 digesters in the beginning to over 4000 in 2008. With less than ten on-farm digesters in operation, significant investment in the industry is needed before similar growth can be predicted for Ontario. That being said, approximately 50 applications for funding through the biogas financial assistance program have been received in recent years, and that number is expected to spike with the introduction of the .

The continued development of local buzz and global pipelines of knowledge is important to the growth of biogas in Ontario. Most of the technology that is currently used in Ontario is traditional biogas technology that has been imported from Europe and much of the spread of information has been due to discussions between potential partners and even current competitors. The mindset is right as most involved in the industry are trying to be as open as possible and give everyone the benefit of their knowledge because they are aware of the possibilities that exist for biogas in Ontario. Further investments into biogas can be one of the “strong actions” that Ontario’s rural regions need to make so that innovative farms like Donnandale Farms don’t have to be the exception, but can be the norm.