By Jean-Paul MacDonald
Farms.com
Over a decade ago, Bruce County's Carl Frook made an environmentally conscious move. He introduces a biogas plant on his farm. Little did he know the venture would revolutionize his agricultural practices and set an example for green energy in farming.
Marl Creek Renewables, owned by the Frook family, operates one of the 45 agricultural anaerobic digesters in Canada. Carl reflects, “Initially, we were unaware of its full potential. But a decade later, the biogas plant not only generates electricity but has also uplifted our farming techniques, from animal care to nutrient management.”
The journey began in 2010 when Ontario's Green Energy Act and the Feed-In Tariff program were unveiled. Collaborating with government and energy entities, by 2012, Frook's 750-kilowatt plant was up and running. Designed by BIO-EN Power, the facility daily produces 18 megawatts of electricity, drawing from diverse feedstocks like manure, milk, and food waste, and sells this power to the grid.