New UBC bioenergy facility set to pave way for carbon-negative future

A research and demonstration facility aimed at accelerating the development of low-carbon, market-ready bioenergy products and carbon-negative energy systems has opened its doors at the University of British Columbia. Building on work conducted at UBC’s Clean Energy Research Centre (CERC) over the past 15 years, the new Biorefining Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC) will bring together top academic researchers and industry partners to create leading-edge technologies that could significantly reduce our reliance on carbon-intensive fossil fuels. With cost-effective clean energy alternatives, Canada will be better equipped to meet or exceed its target of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Removing as much carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as is emitted — or even more — is key to advancing in the ongoing battle against global warming. “There is enormous potential for biomass like BC forest waste to help meet both local and global renewable energy needs,” says Dr. Xiaotao Bi, director of BRIC and CERC at UBC.