The federal government is funding a pioneering project that could provide an alternative way to generate on-farm energy and reduce costs.
Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, on behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, recently announced funding of more than $52,000 for the development and installation of a hydro-electric device designed to harness energy from existing dams on farms.
“Our government is committed to helping producers find ways to boost their bottom lines by identifying new energy sources,” said Finley.
“Initiatives like these have the potential to lighten the environmental footprint of farms across Canada, while also saving farmers money.”
The investment will help Norfolk County–based GreenBug Energy Inc. install and operate a test site for its first-in-Canada farm-scale Archimedes Screw Micro Hydro System in the remnants of an old mill beside an existing low-head dam.
This high-tech auger-like device, mounted inside a hollow pipe, is built to rotate using the force of the water current and power a dynamo to generate approximately 60,000 kilowatt-hours of renewable energy.
Until now, low-head dams have not been used for hydro-electricity due to a lack of cost-effective technology. The new facility could provide farmers with the opportunity to better assess and evaluate the waterpower potential of their own dams. If expanded on a larger scale, this system could allow hundreds of farms to reduce their energy costs by taking advantage of the water flows on their properties.
