CCCM and EPIC support SME partner at the Canadian Greenhouse Conference
Mohawk College’s Centre for Climate Change Management (CCCM) and Energy & Power Innovation Centre (EPIC), providing dedicated support to small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) through the Low Carbon Readiness Program (LCRP), was on hand to support Niagara-based Infinite Harvest Technologies, as they presented the results of their partnership at the recent Canadian Greenhouse Smart Growing Conference.
SME Solutions Program Manager, Shefaza Esmail, was on hand to support Infinite Harvest Technologies’ co-founder Tamara Lockwood-Ortiz during the Landfill Diversion session at the conference. The presentation titled Bugs4Rent & A Zero-Waste Future focused on the trials that Infinite Harvest Technologies had completed with Vineland Research Centre and Innovation Centre, and highlighted work completed with the LCRP team.
Infinite Harvest Technologies uses insect bio-digestion from black soldier fly larvae for organic waste, to then up-cycle and repurpose the waste’s value as animal feed and soil amendment, to tackle the AgriFoods waste problem. This solution addresses landfill concerns and reduces greenhouse gas emissions at the same time.
This collaboration enabled Mohawk researchers to support the quantification of the carbon emissions from the Infinite Harvest Technologies on-site biodigesters compared to other methods, including composting and anaerobic digestion, to demonstrate the low carbon benefit of their solution.
Eligible businesses referred by National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP), can work directly with Mohawk College to receive up to 120 hours of consultancy services on energy, carbon and sustainability at no cost, including:
- Carbon emissions evaluations (e.g., product LCA, process emissions)
- Technology proof-of-concept and data integration
- Advice on leveraging the carbon economy
- Custom recommendations
The Canadian Greenhouse Conference is Canada’s foremost event and connection point for commercial growers of crops produced in a controlled environment. The conference attracts growers from across North America, gathers experts from around the world and showcases innovative production techniques, research, products and technology. Other presentations included:
- LED lighting and energy innovation
- Waste diversion
- HiTech greenhouses
- Vertical farming
- Greenhouse berry production
- Production practices to produce the optimal flower or vegetable crops
Learn more information on the Low Carbon Readiness Program.
