RNG NEWS
Smithfield Renewables Senior Director Congratulated as one of the 100 Environment & Energy Leaders
The E+E 100 are the VPs, directors, managers and engineers who are making significant strides in driving our industry. See the complete list here or download the report for more detailed information about these leaders. And stay tuned for the Call for Submissions coming in the fall, when you can nominate your favorite sustainability or energy management professional!
Now, meet Kraig Westerbeek, senior director of Smithfield Renewables with Smithfield Foods. Smithfield Renewables was formed in 2017 as a platform to help the world’s largest pork processor and hog producer cut carbon and advance renewable energy. Westerbeek notes that in 2016 Smithfield became the first major protein company to announce a greenhouse gas emissions goal, targeting a 25% reduction by 2025.
By Energy Manager Today
SCS Energy Breaks Ground on Indy Landfill Gas to RNG Project
In August 2019, SCS Energy broke ground on construction of a 4,000-scfm landfill gas to renewable natural gas (RNG) plant in Indianapolis. Indy High Btu, LLC engaged SCS Energy to build the RNG plant under an engineer/procure/construct (EPC) agreement. Indy High Btu, LLC is jointly owned by Kinetrex Energy, Southside Landfill, and EDL Energy.
The RNG plant employs an iron redox scrubber for hydrogen sulfide removal, membranes for carbon dioxide removal and pressure swing adsorption for nitrogen removal. The plant is on schedule to achieve commercial operation in February 2020.
By Global Newswire
New Holland Unveils the First pre-development of its Low Carbon Tractor at Low Carbon Vehicle Event 2019
New Holland Agriculture unveiled today the first pre-development of its Low Carbon Tractor (LoCT) at the Low Carbon Vehicle Event 2019, which is taking place in Millbrook, Bedfordshire, UK.
The tractor is a first result of the LoCT project, partly funded by the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC UK) and led by the global capital goods company CNH Industrialtogether with its agricultural brand New Holland and its powertrain brand FPT Industrial. The project aims to design a commercially viable tractor capable of operation on biomethane while complying with the latest European and US emissions standards. New Holland and FPT Industrial, which has pioneered natural gas traction for more than 20 years, are partnering with Eminox, an exhaust after-treatment technology specialist, Zircotec, a thermal management and ceramic coating specialist, and Ricardo, an engineering consultant specialising in technology, project innovation and strategy.
By Market Screener
Counterpoint: Don't Single out Natural Gas as a Problem
Natural gas plays an essential role in meeting Minnesota’s energy needs by providing reliable, affordable energy for our homes and businesses. As the least expensive home heating energy source available, it is no wonder that two of every three Minnesota households (even more in the Twin Cities metro area) depend on natural gas for heating.
For nearly 150 years, CenterPoint Energy has served as a trusted energy partner delivering the warmth of natural gas to more than 860,000 customers in Minnesota. As a good corporate citizen and environmental steward, CenterPoint Energy is also focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions related to natural gas.
By Brad Tutunjian, StarTribune
RNG Industry Asks EPA to Increase Cellulosic RVO in RFS Comments
The comment period of the U.S. EPA’s proposed rule to set 2020 renewable volume obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard, along with the 2021 RVO for biomass-based diesel closed Aug. 30. More than 5,600 comments were filed on the rulemaking.
The rule proposes to require 20.04 billion gallons of renewable fuels to be blended with the U.S. fuel supply next year, up from 19.92 billion gallons in 2019. The proposed RVO includes 5.04 billion gallons of advanced biofuels, 2.43 billion gallons of biomass-based diesel, and 540 million gallons of cellulosic fuel. The 2020 RVO for biomass-based diesel was finalized in a separate rulemaking last year. The rulemaking also proposes to set the 2021 RVO for biomass-based diesel at 2.43 billion gallons, level with the 2020 RVO.
By Biomass Magazine
Cow Power by the Numbers
Cow power, also known as dairy renewable natural gas, is natural gas produced from the manure from feedlots and dairy farms.
Cow power is the cleanest of all possible energy sources, including solar, wind, diesel, biodiesel, gasoline, and ethanol. Cow power also has the potential to supplant a considerable amount of our energy needs. There is an enormous potential for cow power to reduce greenhouse gas levels in the U.S. when you combine these factors.
By Trey Teall, Work Truck
Fueling the Future with Renewable Natural Gas
Renewable energy in Canada accounts for about 17% of our total energy supply and 65% of our electricity production. Hydroelectricity makes up the majority of renewable energy produced in the country, however, wind power, solar power, tidal power and bio-energy are also an important part of the mix. One technology that is currently underutilized is Renewable Natural Gas (RNG). Canada has an opportunity to maximize one of our greatest energy assets – the natural gas pipeline system – by investing in RNG projects.
By Derek Estabrook, Quest Canada
Montreal to Invest in New Biomethane Plant to Generate RNG Energy
The Canadian city of Montreal is investing $167 million (€150 million) to establish a biomethane plant and generate renewable gas energy.
Once operational, the plant will produce biomethane which could create enough renewable gas to power around 3,600 homes. It will see 60,000 tonnes of organic waste processed annually rather than being sent to landfill.
By Bioenergy Insight
Renewable Natural Gas: The Climate Change Solution with Limited Awareness of its Potential
When it comes to addressing climate change, we must pursue the many diverse approaches for reducing carbon emissions. One of the most overlooked opportunities in our arsenal today is renewable natural gas (RNG).
It's simply not getting enough attention in relationship to its potential for major impact.
RNG is natural gas derived from processing raw biogas, which is produced from industry, agriculture and waste management. The most common source of biogas — which consists largely of methane — is the breakdown of organic waste at wastewater treatment plants and landfills. And methane is at least 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere. By capturing waste methane and processing it to make RNG, we can avoid its negative effects while also decreasing reliance on fossil fuels.
By Michael Bakas, Utility Dive
RNG: Moving Beyond Zero Emissions
Renewable natural gas (RNG) has been receiving a lot of buzz lately. You may have seen this recent headline: UPS makes largest purchase of renewable natural gas ever in the U.S.
UPS contracted with Clean Energy to purchase 170 million-gallon equivalents of RNG. Fleet Owner ran an article about how RNG supply and demand in the U.S. transportation sector will grow rapidly over the next five years.
What exactly is RNG? Why is RNG becoming the next big thing in transportation fuels? Does RNG really have emissions below zero? Let’s explore these and other important questions.
By Greg Roche, Fleet Owner