Enbridge, Vanguard Renewables
Date: 2021-10-04
Boston-based food and dairy waste-to-energy project developer Vanguard Renewables and Calgary, Alberta-based Enbridge, Inc. a leading North American energy infrastructure company today announced a partnership whereby Enbridge will purchase upwards of 2 billion cubic fpy of renewable natural gas (RNG) from anaerobic digesters in which Vanguard Renewables will invest $200 million to build in the U.S. Northeast, Southeast, and Midwest. Enbridge will invest approximately $100 million in RNG upgrading equipment to convert the farm derived RNG into pipeline quality renewable natural gas and transport and market the gas to U.S. customers.

Vanguard Renewables builds, owns, and operates on-site farm anaerobic digestion facilities that process and store methane from food waste and manure into low-carbon organic fertilizer. (Source: Vanguard Renewables, Website PR, 28 Sept., 2021) Contact: Vanguard Renewables , John Hanselman, CEO, 781.371.4935, www. vanguardrenewables.com ; Enbridge, Bill Yardley, Exec. VP, Gas Transmission and Midstream, 519-619-0370 bill.yardlet@enbridge.com, www.enbridge.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Vanguard Renewables,  Enbridge,  RNG,  

Vanguard Renewables, Enbridge
Date: 2021-09-29
Wellesley, Mass.-based Vanguard Renewables and Calgary-headquartered North American energy infrastructure developer Enbridge, Inc. are reporting an agreement whereby Enbridge will purchase upwards of 2 billion cubic feet per year of renewable natural gas (RNG) from the anaerobic digesters that Vanguard Renewables will invest $200 million to build in the U.S. Northeast, Southeast, and Midwest.

Enbridge will invest roughly $100 million in upgrading equipment to convert the farm derived RNG into pipeline quality RNG and provide transportation and marketing services to market that gas to U.S. customers.

Vanguard Renewables builds, owns, and operates the farm-based anaerobic digestion facilities that sequester the methane from food waste and manure, produce clean energy and low-carbon organic fertilizer, and support regenerative agriculture by returning the food nutrients back to the soil. Host farmers receive cost savings and a new income stream.

In December 2020, Vanguard launched the Farm Powered Strategic Alliance alongside food industry leaders Dairy Farmers of America, Unilever, and Starbucks. The Alliance is committed to developing a circular solution for food waste reduction, recycling, and decarbonization of the manufacturing and supply chain. (Source: Vanguard Renewables, PR, The Daily Times, 28 Sept., 2021) Contact: Vanguard Renewables, John Hanselman, Founder and CEO, 781-232-7597, www.vanguardrenewables.com; Enbridge, Leanne McNaughton, Communications, 519-619-0370 leanne.mcnaughton@enbridge.com, www.enbridge.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Vanguard Renewables,  Enbridge,  RNG ,  

Aemetis
Date: 2021-08-17
Cupertino, California-headquartered renewable natural gas (RNG) and renewable fuels specialist Aemetis, Inc.reports it has awarded a construction services contract to Machado & Sons Construction Inc. to construct the Company’s 32-mile biogas pipeline extension connecting multiple dairy anaerobic digesters throughout Stanislaus and Merced Counties in California.

The pipeline is part of the Aemetis Biogas Central Dairy Digester Project which is developing a network of lagoon digesters connected via a biogas pipeline to produce renewable natural gas (RNG).

The pipeline will transport the renewable biogas from the dairies to the Aemetis biogas upgrading facility at the Aemetis ethanol production plant in Keyes, California, where the biogas will be transformed into commercial-grade RNG for use as a carbon-negative “drop in” transportation fuel.

The planned 52 dairies in the Aemetis biogas project are expected to capture more than 1.4 million MMBtu of dairy methane and reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to an estimated 5.2 million metric tonnes of CO2 each year. The captured methane will be transformed to carbon-negative transportation fuel to displace petroleum-based diesel throughout the State of California. The 5.2 million metric tonnes of annual CO2 emissions reduction from the Aemetis Biogas project is estimated to reduce CO2 emissions equivalent to removing 1.1 million cars from the road.

. Aemetis Carbon Zero products include zero carbon fuels that can “drop in” to be used in airplane, truck, and ship fleets. Aemetis low-carbon fuels have substantially reduced carbon intensity compared to standard petroleum fossil-based fuels across their lifecycle. (Source: Aemetis, Website PR, 13 Aug., 2021) Contact: Aemetis, Andy Foster, Phone: (408) 213-0940, Fax: (408) 252-8044, www.aemetis.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Aemetis news,  RNG news,  Biogas news,  Anaerobic Digestion news,  

UGI Corporation, Synthica Energy
Date: 2021-08-09
In Wyomissing Pennsylvania , Hamilton RNG Holdings, LLC is reporting definitive agreements to develop innovative food waste digester projects to produce renewable natural gas (RNG) in Ohio and Kentucky. Hamilton RNG is a joint venture owned by a subsidiary of UGI Energy Services, a subsidiary of UGI Corporation and Blue Ash, Ohio-based Synthica Energy, LLC .

Hamilton's first project is being developed in St Bernard, Ohio, near Cincinnati. The project's digester is expected to be completed in the first half of 2023 and will process around 190,000 tpy of locally sourced food waste to generate approximately 250,000 MMBtus per year of pipeline-quality RNG to be injected into a local natural gas pipeline on the regional distribution system. Hamilton RNG is also developing other digester projects in Ohio and Kentucky.

GHI Energy, a wholly-owned subsidiary of UGI, will be the exclusive off-taker and marketer of RNG for Hamilton RNG.

Synthica Energy specializes in the development of environmentally friendly, clean, and low-odor anaerobic digesters using industrial food wastes and byproducts. (Source: UGI, Website PR, 4 Aug., 2021) Contact: Hamilton RNG, UGI Energy Services, Robert Beard, VP Natural Gas, 610-373-7999, www.ugies.com; Synthica, Energy LLC, 513-268-6688, www.synthica.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News UGI Corporation,  RNG,  Anaerobic Digestion,  ,  

Anaerobic Digester
Date: 2021-08-02
In the Golden State, the Santa Barbara County ReSource Cente Tajiguas Landfill facility located between Goleta and Gaviota has announced the opening of its new $130 million Materials Recovery Facility and an anaerobic digester. The facility will divert 60 pct of waste from the landfill and create enough energy to power 2,000 homes and champion the county's greenhouse gas reduction effort.

The two components of the new facility will work in tandem. The recovery facility will remove organic trash, including food waste, wet paper and wet cardboard which will be mixed with water and cow manure to produce biomethane. (Source: Santa Barbara Resource Center, News Press, July, 2021) Contact: Santa Barbara Resource Center, Marborg Industries, 805) 963-1852, www.marborg.com/resource-center

More Low-Carbon Energy News Anaerobic Digester,  Biogas,  

Bioenergy Devco
Date: 2021-07-14
Annapolis, Maryland-headquartered Bioenergy Devco is reporting completion of the state's newest and largest anaerobic digestion (AD) facility at the Maryland Food Center Authority campus in Jessup, Maryland. The $25 million project received more than $460,000 in grant funding to support construction.

According to the release, the project represents an important part of building the capacity and infrastructure needed to successfully implement HB264/SB483 (Organics Recycling and Waste Diversion -- Food Residuals) which was passed into law in 2020. The bill will require businesses that generate two tons or more per week of excess food waste to separate and divert food residuals away from final disposal in landfills and incinerators beginning in January 2023. (Source: Bioenergy Devco, PR, 12 July 2021) Contact: Bioenergy Devco, Shawn Kreloff, CEO, (443) 782-3427, info@bioenergydevco.com, www.bioenergydevco.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Bioenergy Devco,  Anaerobic Digester,  

Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs,
Date: 2021-07-12
In Guelph, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs reports it is changing its biogas regulations to create new ways for farmers to expand the emerging biogas and renewable natural gas (RNG) market in the province and creating economic opportunities while maintaining the province's strict environmental protections.

The revised regulation will enable new on-farm biogas systems and expansion of existing systems to be more easily approved and at a lower cost, and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by diverting waste from the landfill through increased maximum allowable limits and new types of off-farm anaerobic digestion materials and by encouraging production of renewable natural gas (RNG).

According to the release, "changes to regulations under the Nutrient Management Act will create more opportunities for farmers to treat on-farm materials as well as other types of off-farm food and organic waste materials in on-farm regulated mixed anaerobic digestion facilities. This will enable an increase in on-farm production of biogas to generate renewable natural gas and will provide Ontario farmers with a new source of on-farm income. There are approximately 40 agri-food anaerobic digesters in the provinces $35 million-a-year biogas sector."

General Regulation O. Reg. 267/03 under the Nutrient Management Act, 2002 establishes requirements for regulated mixed anaerobic digestion facilities. It is jointly administered by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) and the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks. OMAFRA is responsible for approvals, training and certification. MECP is responsible for inspection and enforcement to ensure compliance. (Source: Ontario Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, 5 July, 2021) Contact: Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, 519-826-3100, www.ontario.ca/page/ministry-agriculture-food-and-rural-affairs

More Low-Carbon Energy News RNG,  Biomethane,  Biogas,  anaerobic digestion,  

WELTEC BIOPOWER
Date: 2021-05-12
Vechta, Germany-based biogas specialist WELTEC BIOPOWER reports it is constructing a €4 million biomethane plant for the Catalan, Spanish dairy cattle farm Torre Santamaria. The farm was the first milk producer in Spain to use residual materials for the production of energy.

WELTEC is installing two stainless-steel anaerobic digesters (AD) to process 60,00 tpy of cattle manure, dairy barn bedding straw and silage leftovers and similar wastes. Each of the digesters has a height of 6.30 meters, is 26.87 meters wide and has a capacity of 3,573m3 l. After processing the biogas generated in the digesters will be fed into the natural gas grid. (Source: WELTEC BIOPOWER, PR, 10 May, 2021)Contact: WELTEC BIOPOWER GmbH, +49 4441/99978-220, presse@weltec-biopower.de, www.weltec-biopower.de

More Low-Carbon Energy News WELTEC BIOPOWER,  Anaerobic Digestion,  RNG,  

EverGen, FortisBC
Date: 2021-05-03
In British Columbia, Canada, waste management services company Net Zero Waste Abbotsford, a wholly-owned subsidiary of EverGen, Canada's RNG infrastructure platform, is reporting a 20-year offtake agreement under which FortisBC will purchase up to 173,000 gigajoules per year of RNG for injection into its natural gas system -- subject to completion of an anaerobic digester project at EverGen's existing Net Zero Waste Abbotsford composting and organic processing facility.

Subject to British Columbia Utilities Commission and other regulatory agencies, the project would convert municipal and commercial organic waste into enough energy to meet the needs of approximately 1,900 homes. (Source: EverGen, Website PR, 30 Apr., 2021) Contact: EverGen, Chase Edgelow, CEO, www.evergeninfra.com; Net Zero Waste Abbotsford, (604) 557-7065, www.netzerowasteabbotsford.com; FortisBC, Scott Gramm, RNG Supply Manager, Douglas Stout, VP, Market Dev., www.fortisbc.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News RNG,  EverGen,  FortisBC,  

GEVO
Date: 2021-04-19
Englewood, Colorado-headquartered GEVO, Inc. reports it has closed a $68,155,000 "Green Bond" private activity bonds offering to finance the construction of its dairy cow manure renewable natural gas (RNG) project in Northwest Iowa.

Feedstock for the RNG Project will be supplied by three dairy farms located in Northwest Iowa totaling over 20,000 milking cows. When fully operational, the RNG Project is expected to generate approximately 355,000 MMBtu of RNG per year. Construction of the RNG Project is expected to begin by the end of April 2021 and start up is expected in early 2022. The proceeds of the Green Bond Offering, combined with Gevo equity, will be used to finance the construction of the RNG Project which will incorporate three anaerobic digesters and related equipment. (Source: GEVO, PR, Website 15 Apr., 2021)Contact: GEVO Inc., Patrick Gruber, CEO, 303-858-8358, pgruber@gevo.com, www.gevo.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News GEVO,  RNG,  

Archaea Energy
Date: 2021-04-09
Carnegie, Pennsylvania- based Rice Acquisition Corp., a special purpose acquisition company focused on the energy transition sector, reports an agreement to combine Novi, Michigan-based Aria Energy LLC and Belle Vernon, Penna.-based biogas developer Archaea to create Archaea Energy, a renewable natural gas (RNG) platform. The transaction is expected to close in Q3 this year.

New company highlights include:

The business combination is expected to create the industry-leading platform in the U.S. to capture and convert waste emissions from landfills and anaerobic digesters into low-carbon RNG, electricity, and green hydrogen.

Aria, a portfolio company of funds managed by the Infrastructure and Power strategy of Ares Management Corp is being acquired for $680 million and brings a comprehensive portfolio of operational LFG assets, best-in-class operating experience, and a deep inventory of greenfield LFG-to-RNG projects and electric-to-RNG conversion opportunities.

Archaea LLC is being acquired for $347 million and brings leading RNG technology professionals, a deep inventory of LFG-to-RNG projects -- including the world's largest RNG plant currently under construction (Project Assai) -- an innovative commercial strategy, groundbreaking low-cost carbon sequestration, and negative-carbon LFG-to-green hydrogen development projects currently in the design stage.

Pro forma for the transaction, the combined Company will have over $350 million of cash on the balance sheet, providing ample liquidity to fund its pipeline of development projects and bridging the combined Company to free cash flow generation starting in 2023.

The combined Company will be headquartered in Cannonsburg, Penna. led by a majority-independent board consisting of executives Daniel J. Rice, IV, Kyle Derham, Kate Jackson, Joe Malchow, and Jim Torgerson of RAC; Nicholas Stork, CEO of Archaea; and Scott Parkes of Aria. (Source: Rice Acquisition Corp., PR, 7 Apr., 2021) Contact: Archea Energy, Nick Stork, CEO, info@archaea.energy, www.archaeaenergy.com; Aria Energy, Richard DiGia, CEO, (248) 380-3920, www.ariaenergy.com: Rice Acquisition Corp., www.ricepac.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News RNG,  Aria Energy,  Archaea Energy,  ,  

Aemetis,California Air Resources Board
Date: 2021-04-05
Cupertino, California-based renewable fuels specialist Aemetis, Inc. reports the the establishment of Aemetis Carbon Capture, Inc.

The new unit will initially capture, dehydrate, compress, and sequester CO2 from Aemetis Biogas anaerobic dairy digester projects in California's Central Valley to further reduce the carbon intensity (CI) of its dairy biogas fuel.(Source: Aemetis, PR, 1 April, 2021)Contact: Aemetis, Eric McAfee, CEO, (408) 213-0940, emcafee@aemetis.com, www.aemetis.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Aemetis,  CCS,  Carbon Capture,  RNG,  Biogas,  Anaerobic Digester,  

Aemetis,California Air Resources Board
Date: 2021-04-02
Cupertino, California-based Aemetis Inc., a renewable natural gas (RNG) and renewable fuels company, has received certification from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) -- effective as of Oct. 1, 2020 -- for a new LCFS Tier 2 fuel pathway for the Aemetis Advanced Fuels Keyes ethanol production plant utilizing renewable dairy biogas as a process energy input.

The Aemetis Central Dairy Digester Project is a collection of dairy lagoon anaerobic digesters that are built, owned and operated by Aemetis Biogas LLC utilizing waste animal manure to generate renewable methane gas to produce negative CI RNG for transportation use to displace diesel fuel. The completed Aemetis Central Dairy Digester Project is expected to include over 30 dairy digesters in the current phase (with plans to expand to more than 52 dairies), and utilize 36 miles of private pipeline owned by Aemetis, a centralized gas clean up unit located at the Aemetis Keyes ethanol biorefinery, an RNG onsite fueling station and an interconnection to PG&E's natural gas pipeline.

The company plans to begin construction of the next five dairy digesters and the additional 32 miles of biogas pipeline in the second quarter, with five more dairy digesters set to begin construction in the third quarter and five digesters beginning in the first quarter of 2022 for a planned total of 17 dairy digesters and a 35-mile biogas pipeline. (Source: Aemetis, PR, Mar., 2021) Contact: CARB, Richard Perry, CEO, Melanie Turner, Information Officer, (916) 322-2990, melanie.turner@arb.ca.gov, www.arb.ca.gov; Aemetis, Eric McAfee, CEO , Todd Waltz, (408) 213-0940, emcafee@aemetis.com, www.aemetis.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News RNG,  Biogas,  Anaerobic Digestion,  Aemetis,  Ethanol,  California Air Resources Board ,  

BP, Aria Energy
Date: 2021-03-24
Oil giant BP and Novi, Michigan-based Aria Energy are touting their "RNG Moovers" anaerobic digestion project to capture methane from farm waste at three Central Valley California dairy farms and process it into renewable natural gas (RNG), which will then be supplied as fuel for the U.S. transportation sector.

For the "RNG Moovers" project, Aria Energy will provide expertise in capturing and refining the biogas to remove contaminants and increase its heat content, resulting in RNG. The anaerobic digesters will be supplied by Aligned Digesters and BP will transport the RNG through a 20-year offtake agreement executed by its low carbon trading business. (Source: BP, PR, 22 Mar., 2021) Contact: BP PLC, Sean Reavis, Senior VP, Low Carbon and Trading, www.bp.com; Aria Energy, Richard DiGia, Pres., CEO, (248) 380-3920, www.ariaenergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News BP,  Aria Energy,  RNG,  Anaerobic Digester,  Biogas,  Methane,  

Canadian Biogas Association
Date: 2021-02-08
The Canadian Biogas Association (CBA) is touting www.FarmingBiogas.ca, -- a new website forming part of an educational campaign to help farmers explore biogas production as an opportunity for their farm.

The CBA's new resource it intended to help farmers evaluate biogas opportunities and includes a self-assessment tool and a "getting started" checklist, a Q&A, and links to guides and handbooks. Technology vendors and advisors are also listed as well as profiles from several on-farm biogas plants across the country, according to the release.

There are presently more than 600 operational anaerobic digesters in the Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector with more either planned or under construction. Livestock operations account for more than half of all biogas projects in Canada. (Source: CBA, Website, PR, Feb., 2021) Contact: CBA, Jennifer Green, Exec. Dir., www.biogasassociation.ca

More Low-Carbon Energy News Canadian Biogas Association,  Biogas,  Anaerobic Digestion,  RNG,  

Tata Power
Date: 2020-12-30
India's largest integrated power company Tata Power subsidiary TP Renewable Microgrid (TPRMG) is reporting the commissioning of a 5 kW biog plant in Muzaffarpur, Bihar.

The plant uses anaerobic digesters to process locally sourced cow dung to generate methane gas to drive a specially designed 5kW generator to generate electricity which is fed to the adjoining 30kW microgrid generating station. (Source: Tata Power, Website PR, PTI, 28 Dec., 2020) Contact: Tata Power, TP Renewable Microgrid, www.tatapower.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Tata Power,  Biogas,  

Aemetis
Date: 2020-11-23
Cupertino, California-headquartered advanced renewable fuel and biochemicals producer Aemetis, Inc. is reporting its wholly-owned subsidiary, Aemetis Health Products, Inc., has received a $24 million initial purchase order after signing a supply agreement for sanitizer alcohol and nitrile gloves with a California distributor of health safety products.

Aemetis Inc. owns and operates a 65 million gpy ethanol production facility near Modesto, California and owns and operates a 50 million gpy renewable chemical and advanced fuel production facility on the East Coast of India producing high quality distilled biodiesel and refined glycerin.

As we reported on 24 Aug., Aemetis is also building a biogas anaerobic digester network and pipeline to convert dairy animal waste gas to Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) and is developing a plant to convert waste orchard wood into cellulosic ethanol.

Aemetis holds a portfolio of patents and related technology licenses for the production of renewable fuels and biochemicals, according to a release. (Source: Aemetis Inc., Street Insider, 23 Nov., 2020) Contact: Aemetis, Eric McAfee, CEO , Todd Waltz, (408) 213-0940, emcafee@aemetis.com, www.aemetis.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Aemetis ,  Ethanol,  RNG,  

Brightmark
Date: 2020-11-18
San Francisco-based waste energy developer Brightmark is reporting breaking ground on The Sobek Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) project, which includes the construction of new anaerobic digesters at two Larson family dairy farms in Okeechobee County, Fla. The farms are owned by Larson Dairy, Inc. and JM Larson, Inc.

Upon completion of the project, the digesters are expected to generate roughly 171,000 MMBtu of renewable natural gas each year. The gas will be delivered into the TECO People Gas pipeline system.

When fully operational in 2021, the the Sobek RNG project will offset 57,400 metric tpy of greenhouse gas emissions and generate 469 MMBtu of renewable gas per day. (Source: Brightmark, 17 Nov., 2020) Contact: Brightmark, Bob Powell, CEO, Kavitha Ramakrishnan, kavitha.ramakrishnan@brightmarkenergy.com, www.brightmarkenergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Brightmark,  RNG,  Renewable Natural Gas,  anaerobic digester,  

U.S. Gain
Date: 2020-10-19
Appleton, Wisconsin-based renewable natural gas (RNG) specialist U.S. Gain is reporting the anaerobic digester at Deer Run Dairy in Kewaunee, Wisconsin is complete and transforming animal waste to clean, low carbon fuel for the transportation market. RNG production offers Deer Run Dairy the opportunity to improve manure management practices from its herd of 1,700 milking cows.

In 2021, U.S. Gain will expand the system's capacity by installing a mixing tank that will enable other local farms to bring animal waste to Deer Run Dairy. RNG produced at Deer Run Dairy will be transported to a new decanting facility U.S. Gain constructed at Holsum Dairy located in Hilbert, Wisconsin, where it will be injected into the natural gas pipeline.

Nacelle Solutions, a leading technology and service company specializing in gas conditioning and advancement of the energy and biogas industries, was a key partner to U.S. Gain in bringing this project online.

"U.S. Gain is a leader in development and distribution of alternative fuel and renewable thermal energy. Over the past 10 years we've diversified throughout the renewable natural gas supply chain, becoming vertically integrated to provide the cleanest fuel and energy at the best value. We're developing renewable natural gas at farms, landfills and wastewater treatment plants to reduce emissions for sustainably driven organizations. Further, we continue to build out a platform of alternative fuel solutions that enable the polyfuel future fleets demand," according to U.S. Gain. (Source: U.S. Gain, PR, 19 Oct., 2020) Contact: U.S. Gain, Stephanie Lowney, Director of Marketing & Innovation, (920) 619-4400, slowney@usgain.com, www.usgain.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News U.S.Gain news,  RNG news,  Anaerobic Digestion news,  Biogas news,  Methane news,  

U.S. Gain
Date: 2020-07-01
Appleton, Wisconsin-based U.S. Gain, a leader in development, procurement and distribution of renewable natural gas (RNG), reports that after only eight months their digester at S&S Jerseyland Dairy in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin is now transforming animal waste to clean, low carbon fuel for the transportation market.

The anaerobic digester at S&S Jerseyland Dairy has been operational since 2011, initially converting waste from the farm's 4,000 herd of Jersey cows to renewable power. U.S. Gain purchased the farm's digester in September of 2019 and made the upgrades needed for fuel production. Gas collected at the facility is taken through a complex processing system that results in RNG comprised of 99.5 pct methane. The facility recently obtained project certification from the California Air Resources Board, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and the Environmental Protection Agency

A key partner to U.S. Gain throughout the project was Nacelle Solutions, a leader in developing gas clean-up equipment specifically designed for the RNG industry. "Methane recovery was maximized through additional processing capabilities in the upgrade portion of the plant, specifically a third stage membrane process. The more plants we do, the more efficient and streamlined we become, enabling speed to market with reliable results," explained Nacelle's Co-Founder, Gov Graney.

Nacelle provides innovative technology solutions and 24/7/365 operations and service ensuring a high level of performance and success. Since inception, Nacelle has executed 150+ different projects with an average throughput of 2000 scfm (~3 million scf per day) of processed gas. Nacelle is committed to gas conditioning technologies and service that meet the complex and evolving demands of the energy and biogas industries. (Source: U.S. Gain, PR, 29 June, 2020) Contact: U.S. Gain, Mike Koel, Pres., Bryan Nudelbacher, Dir. RNG Business Development, Stephanie Lowney, Director of Marketing & Innovation , slowney@usgain.com, www.usgain.com; Nacelle Solutions, Gov Graney, (855) 622-3553, info@nacellesolutions.com, www.nacellesolutions.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News U.S. Gain,  RNG,  Anaerobic Digestion,  Biogas,  Methane,  

Lystek International,California Energy Commission
Date: 2020-05-08
Cambridge, Ontario-headquartered Lystek International Limited reports it is working with the Goleta California Sanitary District (GSD)and the California Energy Commission (CEC) on a project that separates and co-digests organic food waste in a mobile skid-mounted anaerobic digester.

For the CEC funded project the digesters are being fed at variable rates to verify and document the level of biogas generation from the food waste collected and provide "real-world information that other wastewater and solid waste professionals can use to determine how best to manage SSO and food waste material."

In the coming months, Lystek will submit the results from the first phase of the project to the CEC. The next steps will include investigating the use of the company's patented low-temperature thermal hydrolysis process, LystekTHP, and the LysteMize refeed process for AD optimisation. According to the company, this allows for post-digestion processing of biosolids and the recirculation of the processed material, providing an improved biogas yield and increased energy generation. (Source: California Energy Commission, (916) 465-4500, www.energy.ca.gov; Lystek International Limited, May, 2020) Contact: Lystek International Ltd., James Dunbar, Bus. Dev, GM, (226) 444-0186, (888) 501-6508, (707) 430-5500 -- Calif., info@lystek.com, www lystek.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News California Energy Commission ,  Lystek International,  Anaerobic Digester,  

Orbital Gas Systems
Date: 2020-04-15
In Houston, CUI Global, Inc. reports its wholly-owned subsidiary, Orbital Gas Systems Ltd. has been awarded a contract to design, produce and commission its first-ever biomethane-to-grid plant for the UK water industry. The contract calls for the provision of an initial biomethane Grid Entry Unit (GEU) followed by a second unit, both to be delivered in 2020. Each unit is valued at approximately $550,000.

Additionally, Orbital is completing upgrade works on the 2012-vintage Poundbury Renewable Energy Plant -- the UK's first full-scale Anaerobic Digester and Biomethane-to-Grid Plant. (Source: CUI Global, Inc., PR, 14 April, 2020) Contact: GUI Global, Jim O'Neil CEO, (503) 612-2300, www.cuiglobal.com; Orbital Gas Systems, Paul White, Pres., (832) 467-1420, +44 (0)1785 857000 -- Orbital UK, www.orbitalgas.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Orbital Gas Systems,  Biomethane,  Biogas,  RNG ,  

Brightmark
Date: 2020-02-07
San Francisco-based waste energy developer Brightmark reports inking it a manure supply agreement with two South Dakota dairy companies -- Boadwine Farms, Inc. and Mooody County Dairy Limited Partnership -- to capture methane produced by nearly 12,000 dairy cows and heifers and convert it into roughly 217,000 MMBtu per year of renewable natural gas (RNG).

The Athena RNG project will include the construction of new anaerobic digesters on three Minnehaha County farms: Boadwine Farms, Pioneer Dairy, and Moody Dairy. The 11,710 dairy cows and heifers that live on these farms produce a total of 55.6 million gallons of manure each year.

Brightmark has similar projects in Washington, Wisconsin, South Carolina, and New York. (Source: Brightmark, PR, 5 Feb., 2020) Contact: Brightmark, Bob Powell, CEO, Kavitha Ramakrishnan, kavitha.ramakrishnan@brightmarkenergy.com, www.brightmarkenergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Brightmark,  RNG,  Renewable Natural Gas,  anaerobic digester,  

Aemetis
Date: 2020-01-31
Cupertino, California-based advanced renewable fuels and biochemicals specialist Aemetis, Inc. is reporting its Aemetis Biogas LLC, subsidiary has received $4.1 million in grant funding from the California Energy Commission's Low Carbon Fuel Production Program to construct a biogas upgrading facility to convert dairy biogas to renewable natural gas (RNG).

The Aemetis Central Dairy Digester and Pipeline Project is designed to capture methane gas currently emitted from dairy manure lagoons, pre-treat the biogas at each dairy to remove harmful components, then transport the methane via pipeline from each dairy to a biogas upgrading facility at the Aemetis Keyes ethanol plant. After the biogas is upgraded to utility pipeline quality RNG, the RNG will be utilized at the Keyes ethanol plant to replace carbon-intensive petroleum natural gas currently used to generate steam and power at the plant, or will be injected into PG&E's gas pipeline to be utilized as transportation fuel.

Aemetis expects to complete construction and begin operation of its first two dairy digesters, the onsite dairy biogas pre-treatment units, a 4-mile Aemetis pipeline and a new biogas boiler at the Keyes plant in Q2 2020.

Aemetis has received approximately $18 million in CEC grants to support its Aemetis Central Dairy Digester and Pipeline Project, and for carbon reduction energy efficiency upgrades to the Keyes Plant.(Source: Aemetis Inc., PR, 29 Jan., 2020) Contact: Aemetis, Eric McAfee, CEO , Todd Waltz, (408) 213-0940, emcafee@aemetis.com, www.aemetis.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News anaerobic digester,  California Energy Commission,  Aemetis,  Biofuel,  

US Gain
Date: 2020-01-24
Following up on our 3 Dec. 2019 coverage, Appleton, Wisconsin-headquartered US Gain, a leader in development, procurement and distribution of renewable natural gas (RNG), is reporting the purchase of another anaerobic digester for the Deer Run Dairy, LLC in Kewaunee, Wisconsin.

U.S. Gain is currently coordinating the installation of biogas clean-up equipment at Deer Run Dairy, LLC to strip the impurities from the biogas which will be injected into the natural gas pipeline and distributed throughout their GAIN Clean Fuel® network, private natural gas fueling stations and other non-transportation outlets.

US Gain invests in and manages renewable natural gas development projects at dairies, landfills and wastewater treatment plants; generating, trading and monetizing clean fuel credits; designing, building and operating natural gas fueling stations -- both private and a public GAIN Clean Fuel® network. (Source: US Grain, CSR News, 23 Jan., 2020) Contact: US Gain, Mike Koel, Pres., Stephanie Lowney, Director of Marketing & Innovation, 920.381.2190, www.usgain.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News US Gain,  Biofuel,  RNG,  Methane,  anaerobic digester ,  

Duke Energy,Smithfield Foods, OpyimaBio
Date: 2020-01-10
Smithfield Foods, OptimaBio LLC and Duke Energy North Carolina are reporting biofuel production at their $14 million hog waste-to-biofuel project at Smithfield's Tar Heel pork processing plant in North Carolina is now underway. The project can produce up to 140,000 dekatherms per year of renewable natural gas (RNG).

The Tar Heel project utilizes a gas upgrading and injection system operated by OptimaBio, LLC, a bioenergy project developer, which leverages the facility's 3 million gpd wastewater treatment system to collect and clean biogas through an existing on-site anaerobic digester and convert it into RNG.

Smithfield operates similar hog wastewater-to-energy projects at its Milan, Mo.; Grayson, Ky.; and Sioux Falls, S.D. facilities, which are used to power their modified steam boilers. (Source: Duke Energy, Smithfield Foods, Power Eng., Jan., 2020) Contact: Smithfield Foods, Ken Sullivan, Pres, CEO, Lisa Martin, (757) 365-1980, lvmartin@smithfield.com; Duke Energy North Carolina, Stephen De May, Pres., www.duke-energy.com; OptimaBio, LLC, Mark Maloney, CEO, www.pig.energy

More Low-Carbon Energy News RNG,  Methane,  OptmaBio,  Smithfield Foods,  Duke Energy,  RNG,  Manure-to-Fuel,  

U.S. Gain
Date: 2019-12-04
Appleton, Wisconsin-headquartered U.S. Gain, a leader in development, procurement and distribution of renewable natural gas (RNG) is reporting the purchase of anaerobic digesters at two Wisconsin dairy farms -- S&S Jerseyland Dairy LLC and Dallmann East River Dairy LLC -- to expedite RNG development for the transportation and energy markets.

The company is currently coordinating installation of biogas clean-up equipment at both dairy farms to strip the impurities from the biogas, in preparation for injected into the natural gas pipeline system. It will then seek RNG certification through the U.S. EPA and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to allow RNG distribution through private natural gas fueling stations, the GAIN Clean Fuel network and other non-transportation outlets. (Source: US Gain, PR, Dec., 2019) Contact: US Gain, Bryan Nudelbacher, Bus. Dev., Stephanie Lowney, Marketing Manager, (920) 381-2190, www.usgain.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News U.S. Gain,  anaerobic digester,  RNG,  Renewable Natural Gas,  

Bloom Energy,EnergyPower
Date: 2019-10-09
Sunnyvale, California-based energy storage specialist and "Bloom Box" manufacturer Bloom Energy and India's EnergyPower are touting a joint effort to supply biogas power generated from municipal and agri waste to local Indian businesses. The project will be Bloom's first commercial-scale on-site biogas to electricity project in India.

EnergyPower will be deploying a new agricultural and municipal waste anaerobic digester combined with Bloom Energys solid oxide fuel cell technology to deliver power in the Shirala district, Maharashtra. (Source: Bloom Energy, PR, Hindu Business Line, Financial Express, 8 Oct., 2019) Contact: Bloom Energy, K R Sridhar, CEO, Peter Gross, VP, (408) 543-1547, www.bloomenergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News anaerobic digester,  Bloom Energy,  Biogas,  

SocalGas,Calgren
Date: 2019-07-31
SocalGas, the largest natural gas distribution utility in the US, reports the completion of the Calgren dairy renewable natural gas facility in Pixley. The natural gas facility, developed in partnership with Calgren Dairy Fuels, is the first of its kind in California. SocalGas has provided Calgren with a $5 million incentive, authorised by the California PUC to support the project.

Calgren will collect cow manure from four dairy farms and process it using an anaerobic digesters to produce methane emissions which will then be used to produce transportation fuel. The digesters in the Calgren project are partially funded under California's Dairy Digester Research and Development Programme, which aims to reduce GHG emissions from manure generated at state dairy farms. California currently has about 30 operational dairy RNG projects and 50 under development.

A 2016 study by the University of California, Davis found California has the potential to produce approximately 90.6 billion cubic feet (bcf) per year of renewable natural gas from dairy, landfill, municipal solid waste, and wastewater treatment plant sources alone -- sufficient to meet the annual natural gas needs of around 2.3 million California homes. According to the U.S. DOE the U.S. currently produces 1 trillion cubic feet of renewable natural gas every year, and that number is expected to increase to 10 trillion by 2030. (Source: SocalGas, SmartEnergy, 30 July, 2019) Contact: Calgren Renewable Fuels, Walt Dwelle, Principal Owner , Lyle Schlyer, Pres., (559) 757-3850, lschyler@calgren.com, www.calgren.com; Southern California Gas Company, Sharon Tomkins, VP customer solutions and strategy. www.socalgas.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News SocalGas,  Calgren,  anaerobic digester,  RNG,  Renewable Natural Gas,  

Brightmark Energy,CLean Fuel Partners
Date: 2019-07-26
Following up on our 8th April coverage, San Francisco-based renewable energy development company Brightmark Energy reports the purchase of a 90,000 gpd dairy waste anaerobic digester project in Dane County , Wisconsin, from Clean Fuel Partners. Clean Fuel Partners will continue its work on the project by providing operations and maintenance support.

The Dane County facility is the first such facility in the United States designed to receive biogas from multiple off-site locations and connect that renewable gas with RNG stations locally and across the nation.

When fully operational the project is expected to produce sufficient renewable natural gas (RNG) to replace at least 50,000 MMBtu of conventional natural gas each year.(Source: Brightmark, 25 July, 2019) Contact: Brightmark Energy, Bob Powell, CEO, (415) 689-8395, info@brightmarkenergy.com, www.brightmarkenergy.com; Clean Fuel Partners, John Haeckel, Founder and CEO, (608) 957-7995, info@cleanfuelpartners.com, www.cleanfuelpartners.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Brightmark Energy,  anaerobic digester,  Clean Fuel Partners,  

Idaho Power
Date: 2019-07-15
In Idaho, the City of Jerome (pop. 11,600} has been recognized by $931,400 in incentives from Idaho Power for its commitment to energy efficiency through upgrades to the city's wastewater treatment plant.

In 2014, Jerome joined Idaho Power's wastewater energy efficiency cohort which aims to bring together city employees to reduce energy use through a series of innovative workshops using no- and low-cost energy-saving techniques and organizational strategies.

The recently completed wastewater treatment plant upgrades includes: new clarifiers; a new aeration basin; new energy efficient anaerobic digesters; energy-efficient turbo blowers with controls; LED lighting and efficient HVAC units. The energy efficiency measures are expected to save the plant more than 5,193,000 kWh per year. ( Source: Idaho Power, MagicValley.com, Jerome News, 14 July, 2019) Contact: City of Jerome, Wastwater Dept., : 208-324-7122, www.ci.jerome.id.us/201/Wastewater-Department

More Low-Carbon Energy News Idaho Power,  Energy Efficiency,  

Bioeconomy
Date: 2019-05-15
The European Science Communication Institute is reporting the launch of trials of Ireland's first mobile biorefinery. The new mobile biorefinery on wheels processes grass and other organic waste into various new green products that could give farmers a more diversified source of income and greater sustainability.

. The mobile biorefinery's product can be processed into a dry protein-rich live-stock feed, a sustainable alternative to synthetic fertilizer or used as a fuel for anaerobic digesters and natural gas production. (Source: European Science Communication Institute, phys.org, May, 2015) Contact: European Science Communication Institute, www.esci.eu

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biorefining,  Cioecoomy,  Biofuel,  Biomass,  

Quantum Fuel
Date: 2019-04-29
Ventura, California-based alternative fuel systems provider Quantum Fuel Systems reports it has partnered with Quantitative BioSciences (QBI) on a new dairy biogas project in Modesto, California.

Under the agreement, QBI will purchase Quantum's newest ten Virtual Pipeline trailers for use in the biogas facility funded by the California Energy Commission. The project is being developed by QBI and Fiscalini Cheese Company, and will result in the construction of a biofuels production facility to purify and compress biomethane from anaerobic digesters into transportation fuel. When fully operational, the he project is expected to produce 450 diesel gallon equivalent of CNG per day, According the Quantum, (Source; Quantum Fuel Systems, BioiEnergy Insights, 25 April, 2019) Contact: Quantum Fuel Systems, Mark Arnold, Pres., 805-308-6067, www.qtww.com; Quantitative BioSciences Inc., Natalie Cookson, CEO, https://ca.linkedin.com/company/quantitative-biosciences-inc

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biogas,  Methane,  Niomethane,  Anaerobic Digestion,  CNG,  

Brightmark Energy
Date: 2019-04-08
San Francisco-headquartered Brightmark Energy is touting the launch of its recently completed biogas project in Yakima County, Washington. The anaerobic digester project will convert 150,000 gpd of dairy cattle manure waste from up to 7,000 cows into 160,000 MMBtu of renewable natural gas (RNG) and other products each year.

Collaborating as Augean Renewable Natural Gas (RNG), Brightmark Energy, Promus Energy, and DeRuyter Dairies developed the project. Brightmark Energy will manage the joint venture and Promus Energy, the original developer, will serve as the project manager.

he Augean biogas project is supported by a $1.4 million in grant funding from Yakima County and a $500,000 Rural Energy for American Program (REAP) grant from the USDA.

Brightmark is currently developing similar biogas projects in New York, Wisconsin, Florida, and Minnesota, and is seeking feedstock suppliers with an interest in collaborating on waste to energy projects. The company develops, owns and operates waste and energy projects.

Promus Energy LLC, based in Washington State and New Mexico, was launched in 2010 to convert organic wastes into low carbon intensity, high-value renewable products, focusing specifically on dairy-derived renewable natural gas (RNG) and recovery of nutrients and fiber. (Source: Brightmark Energy, PR, 6 April, 2019) Contact: Brightmark Energy, Bob Powell, CEO, (415) 689-8395, info@brightmarkenergy.com; http://brightmarkenergy.com; Promus Energy LLC, www.promusenergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Brightmark Energy,  Biogas,  Anaerobic Digestion,  

ZooShare Biogas
Date: 2019-03-18
In Ontario, Toronto MP Gary Anandasangaree is reporting the Conservative Gov. of Premier Doug Ford will invest up to $2.7 million in the ZooShare Biogas Co-operative'a project to convert Toronto Zoo animal waste into biogas and agricultural fertilizer.

The funding is earmarked for additional, new self-cleaning anaerobic digester technology that separates organic material and contaminants at ZooShare's existing biogas plant in Toronto. Zooshare's mission statement is to grow the biogas industry across North America by teaching others about the value of waste and the importance of conservation in the process. (Source: Toronto Zoo, 11 Mar., 2019) Contact: Toronto Zoo, (416) 392-5900, www.torontozoo.com/conservation/BioGas.asp. ZooShare, www.zooshare.ca

More Low-Carbon Energy News ZooShare Biogas,  

BHSL
Date: 2019-03-15
Limerick, Ireland-headquartered agri-rech, waste-to-energy business BHSL reports it has agreed to €1.5 million French deal to sell its fluidized bed combustion (FBC) technology to Liger Bioconcept foir installation at a fertiliser plant in Brittany. The plant will burn by-products sourced from a large anaerobic digestor located nearby, that processes a mixture of food waste, animal manure and waste water sludge into biogas.

According to BHSL, there are currently 500 anaerobic digester facilities in France and 8,000 in Germany, two of BHSL-Hydro's target markets. The company plans to construct 300 new anaerobic digestor plants in Ireland. (Source: BHSL, RTE, 15 Mar., 2019) Contact: BHSL, Denis Brosnan, +353 (0) 69 85926, +353 (0) 69 85927 - fax., info@bhsl.com, www.bhslhydro.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biogas,  Biowaste-to-Energy,  anaerobic digestor,  

Clean Energy Technologies,Woolwich Bio-En
Date: 2019-02-27
Costa Mesa, California-based Clean Energy Technologies (CETY) is reporting the installation of a Clean Cycle II Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) unit at Elmira, Ontario-based Bio-En Power Inc's anaerobic digester power plant in Woolwich, Ontario. The plant utilizes two Jenbacher JGC420 generators to produce 1426 kW of electricity each, as well as waste heat.

CETY's Clean Cycle II ORC utilizes the plants wasted heat lost to the atmosphere through the exhaust stream to essentially produce free electricity resulting in an expected annual electrical savings of 769,149 kWh.

CETY's proprietary heat recovery systems are 140kW and are right in the sweet spot where user's needs are the highest. CETY is also excited about entering the large high rise market with its first installation slated for the 1540 Broadway high rise building in Manhattan, according to the company. (Source: Clean Energy Technologies, PR, 26 Feb., 2019) Contact: Clean Energy Technologies, Kam Mahdi, CEO , (949) 273-4990 Fax Number: (949) 273-4990 www.cetyinc.com;Bio-En, Power Inc., (519) 669-3777. (519) 669-5982 -fax, ptaylor@bio-enpower.com, www.bio-enpower.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News anaerobic digester,  anaerobic digestion ,  Clean Energy Technologies,  

BioHiTech Global
Date: 2019-01-11
Chestnut Ridge, New York-based waste management specialist BioHiTech Global, Inc. is reporting the installation of a BioHiTech Revolution Series™ Digester at Pheonix, Arizona-headquartered Sprouts Farmers Market's first store in Philadelphia, Pa.. The BioHiTech technology is being used in 18 Sprouts locations nationally.

BioHiTech's cost effective Revolution Series™ Digesters technology platforms can virtually eliminate landfill usage through real-time data analytics to reduce waste generation, biological disposal of food waste at the point of generation, and the processing of municipal solid waste into a valuable renewable fuel. (Source: BioHiTech Global, PR, 9 Jan., 2019) Contact: BioHiTech Global, Frank E. Celli, CEO, Rich Galterio, Exec. VP, (845) 367-0603, rgalterio@biohitech.com, www.biohitech.com: Sprouts, www.sprouts.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Fuel,  BioHiTech Global,  Anaerobic Digestion,  

Arizona State University
Date: 2018-11-09
The U.S. DOE has announced the awarding of a total of $80 million tp 36 early-stage bioenergy projects aimed at reducing the cost of algae-based, drop-in fuels to $3 per gallon by 2022, Of the $80 million total, two Arizona State University (ASU) research teams received a total grant of nearly $4.5 million.

The two ASU teams are headed by Wim Vermaas, Foundation Professor in the School of Life Sciences and a member of the Center for Bioenergy and Photosynthesis, and Bruce Rittmann, director of Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology.

Both ASU projects are developing innovative approaches for improving the efficiency of microalgae to capture waste CO2 and convert it into biodiesel transportation fuels and other valuable products.

Rittmann will explore ways to make CO2 delivery to algae more efficient. Traditional methods involve sparging (bubbling) CO2 within the liquid used to grow the algae, which releases about 60-80 pct of the CO2 back into the atmosphere. This wasteful process defeats a major goal of using microalgae to remove this greenhouse gas from the atmosphere and decreases cost efficiency.

Rittmann's team developed a membrane carbonation process that uses inexpensive plastic fibers to deliver pure CO2 with nearly 100 pct efficiency directly to the microalgae. The team estimates that the technology will capture fourfold more CO2 than traditional sparging methods.

The team is partnering with the Salt River Project to develop methods for harvesting CO2 from power plant emissions. They are also partnering with the city of Mesa to remove CO2 from the biogas generated from anaerobic digesters at their wastewater treatment facilities. Rittmann's team will investigate whether the fibers can be used with microalgae to remove CO2 from the biogas, which would leave nearly pure methane which could be distributed through existing natural gas pipelines.

Vermaas and his team were awarded $2.5 million to pursue an innovative multi-pronged approach toward improved CO2 utilization. One approach is to increase the solubility of carbon dioxide in growth medium by developing a nanobubble gas delivery system.. A second approach is to utilize amines in the medium, which greatly enhance the solubility of CO2, allowing the gas to be taken up by photosynthetic microbes for producing biofuel. The researchers anticipate at least a 50 pct increase in the efficiency of CO2 use with advanced biofuel production under industrially relevant conditions. (Source: ASU, PR, Nov., 2018) Contact: ASU, Prof. Bruce Rittmann, Dir. Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, (480) 727-8322, www.biodesign.asu.edu/environmental-biotechnology; Willem Vermaas, ASU School of Life Sciences, 480-965-6250, wim@asu.edu, www.sols.asu.edu/willem-vermaas

More Low-Carbon Energy News Micro Algae,  Biodiesel,  Drop-In Fuel,  CO2,  Algae,  Biofuel,  Carbon Dioxide,