Bioenergy in the Canadian Prairies: Assessment of accessible biomass from agricultural crop residues and identification of potential biorefinery sites

Abstract Biomass from crop residues as an alternative energy source has generated considerable interest to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote energy independence, and promote regional development. Using disaggregate crop production data and a GIS-based service area approach, this study examines the available and accessible biomass from agricultural crop residues and identifies the locations and sizes of potential biorefinery sites in the Canadian Prairies. The economic constraints associated with site selections include the site's road access, economical transport feasibility, economies of scale for residue processing, and workforce availability. In total, we found twelve plants in the Prairie area, six in Alberta, five in Saskatchewan, and one in Manitoba. The amount of total accessible biomass for the identified biorefineries is 35.39 dry million tonnes, which is approximately 40% of the Prairies' available biomass.