As the world population increases and the spotlight on emissions
intensifies, it is clear that alternative and renewable energy sources will
be needed to supplement supplies of conventional oil and gas in the future.
Energy companies on the frontier of these low-carbon industries will need
a proven leader in engineering, procurement and construction to support
their projects and programs. Bantrel's knowledge and experience, not to
mention our use of the world's most sophisticated management systems, tools
and work processes make us stand out from the crowd.
Bantrel is perfectly suited to design, procure and build a wide range of
plants, facilities and bio-refineries in the alternative and renewable
energy market. Bantrel leverages the world-class front-end capabilities of
our strong team of energy experts as well as the additional resources and
expertise of Bechtel. Together with Bechtel, our parent company, over the
past 50 years we have completed more than 50 waste-to-energy projects, 60
hydroelectric plants and 30 waste fuel plants.
Global production of biofuels is booming, as higher oil prices and technological breakthroughs have made it a more profitable business. In addition, political resolve in most industrialized countries to find a renewable, reliable source of energy and the implementation of new incentive programs, have stimulated the industry's growth. Like most industrialized countries, Canada has launched programs to encourage biofuel production.
The two most common types of bio-fuels are ethanol and biodiesel. Traditionally, ethanol is made from starches and sugars, but emerging technologies allow it to be made from cellulose and hemicellulose, the fibrous material that makes up the bulk of most plant matter. Ethanol is mostly used as blending agent with gasoline to increase octane and cut down carbon monoxide and other emissions. Fuel blends containing 5-10% ethanol require no changes to the engine and are the most widely available at present. Other blends are also available such as E-85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline). In Brazil, more than 15% of cars can run on pure ethanol.
Biodiesel is made by combining alcohol with vegetable oil, animal fat, or recycled cooking grease. It can be used as an additive to reduce vehicle emissions or in its pure form as a renewable alternative fuel for diesel engines.
Bantrel's experience includes engineering, procurement and construction management services on Husky Oil's ethanol plant in Lloydminster, Sask. in 2004. The plant, which started production in 2006, is capable of producing 130 million litres of ethanol per year.
Our affiliation with Bechtel exposes us to experts who have been involved with multiple bio-fuels projects through the years in the U.S. and across the world. Through our in-house expertise, partners and outside resources, Bantrel can advise on a variety of biofuels technologies and applications.
With its abundance of lakes and rivers, Canada is well on its way to developing a future alternative energy program focusing on the world's most important renewable source, hydroelectric power. The historic importance and future potential of hydroelectric power can be attributed to its low production costs, reliability, flexibility to meet both ongoing base electricity needs and peak demands, and its reliance on water - an indigenous, renewable resource.
From Bechtel's building of the Hoover Dam in 1931 to current studies and involvement in many Run of the River plants and proposals, Bantrel is on its way to being one of the foremost authorities in hydroelectric power. Whether our services are required for grassroots construction, revamps or upgrades, Bantrel helps clients meet their goals in a safe, timely and cost-efficient manner.
Bantrel offers a complete range of hydroelectric engineering services, from the initial project definition stage to international sourcing and procurement and construction. Our professionals have the knowledge and expertise to design, project manage and build small- to large-scale hydroelectric facilities, including run of the river projects.
Run-of-River projects are dramatically different in design, appearance and impact from conventional hydroelectric projects. Run-of-river encompasses small-scale hydroelectric projects that require no dam, reservoir or flooding to generate electricity the natural flow and elevation of a river are used to create power. A portion of the water from a fast-moving river is diverted into a penstock or pipe that channels it to a turbine then back to the river leaving enough of the waterway's existing flow so environmental values are protected. Run-of-river projects have a much smaller environmental footprint compared to traditional reservoir storage hydro projects. Bantrel works closely with local communities and First Nations to thoroughly consider all their environmental, economic, and social concerns.
Energy from waste (EFW) facilities are highly efficient power plants that produce heat and electricity by utilizing municipal solid waste as their fuel, thereby replacing the energy produced by conventional power plants that use fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, or natural gas. Far better than expending energy to explore, recover, process, and transport the fuel from a distant source, EFW plants find value in what others consider garbage.
In many jurisdictions, energy from waste is considered a renewable energy by virtue of the sustainable and indigenous nature of the municipal solid waste stream that fuels these power plants. With the high price of energy, governments can now turn to energy from waste and other renewable energy sources to alleviate the demand for energy. Moreover, unlike other renewable sources that only produce power, energy from waste provides waste disposal services (more than 160 million tons of trash per year) for communities around the world.
Bantrel has worked with our clients to develop proposals and technical specs for EFW plants across North America. Bantrel is able to draw upon the expertise of our parent company, Bechtel who have built Energy from Waste plants that have a combined processing capacity of approximately 7,000 tons per day of municipal waste.
Most renewable energy comes either directly or indirectly from the sun. Solar cells, also called photovoltaics, are made of semiconducting materials similar to those used in computer chips. When sunlight is absorbed by these materials, the solar energy knocks electrons loose from their atoms, allowing the electrons to flow through the material to produce electricity. This process of converting light (photons) to electricity (voltage) is called the photovoltaic effect.
In Canada, Photovoltaic (PV) technology has become a favoured form of renewable energy technology due to a number of social and economic factors, including the need to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and deregulation. Photovoltaics technology is quickly gaining ground in Canada. Contrary to what one might think, PV cells perform even better at low temperatures. This technology is thus perfectly suited to the Canadian climate.
Bantrel helps our clients develop facilities that are used to produce photovoltaics and electronic grade chips. Our knowledge and experience in engineering, procurement and construction, and our use of the world's most sophisticated management systems, tools and work processes make us stand out from other EPCs in the renewable energy sector.