RNG NEWS
Stay up to date with the latest stories, insights, and announcements.Vanguard Renewables’ Neil Smith Discusses Expansion Plans
The global anaerobic digestion (AD) market is projected to reach $15.28 billion by 2025, and North America is dominating in this space. Driving the trend are policies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, growing demand for renewable energy, and federal and some state incentives to invest in renewable natural gas (RNG) sourced from methane.
Vanguard Renewables is among enterprises tapping into that market. With 10 anaerobic digesters in operation, the company anticipates huge growth in the next few years, with contracts at over 120 farms—projects that are on track to be completed by 2026, says Vanguard Renewables CEO Neil Smith.
U.S. Gain Partners with Utility to Expand Focus on Renewable Energy
U.S. Gain will supply renewable natural gas (RNG) to a large Midwest utility, supporting their greenhouse gas emission reduction goals. RNG provides a sustainable choice for residential and small business customers, contributing to a cleaner future through use of renewable energy.
The partnership allows the utility to increase their commitment to renewable energy and efforts to cut carbon emissions. RNG plays an important role in this transition and will be utilized to reach a goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050. This utility’s customers are involved in the journey to net zero as well through energy efficiency programs and voluntary RNG and carbon offset investments. As new technologies, such as hydrogen and carbon capture become market-ready, they will provide additional renewable energy solutions to their customers.
BerQ RNG Marks Successful Startup of Michigan Dairy Renewable Natural Gas Facility
BerQ RNG announced the successful start-up of an animal manure anaerobic digester-to-RNG facility located on a dairy farm in Western Michigan. Pipeline-quality RNG has been produced and commercial operations were achieved on June 24.
The facility is expected to deliver over 85,000 MMBtu of RNG annually, equating to approximately 750,000 gasoline gallon equivalents (GGE) of renewable vehicle fuel annually. This RNG will be used as clean fuel for the transportation sector and stands to benefit from the federal Renewable Fuel Standard Program and the Low Carbon Fuel Standard in California. The project is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by over 6,000 metric tons annually and significantly reduce air pollutants.
Biofuel, Ag Groups Comment on SEC Climate Disclosures Rulemaking
Growth Energy, the Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas, the National Corn Growers Association, and American Soybean Association are among the ag and biofuel groups that have weighed in on a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission proposed rule that focuses on climate-related disclosures.
According to the SEC, the proposed rule would require registrants to include certain climate-related disclosures in their registration statements and periodic reports, including information about climate-related risks that are reasonably likely to have a material impact on their business, results of operations, or financial condition, and certain climate-related financial statement metrics in a note to their audited financial statements.
Certarus Supports World's Largest Hydrogen-Powered Advanced Class Gas Turbine Generation Test with Mitsubishi Power at Georgia Power Plant
Certarus Ltd. announced that it has safely delivered hydrogen for the world's largest hydrogen-powered generation test. Certarus was selected by Mitsubishi Power Americas, Inc. and Georgia Power to deliver and control hydrogen pressure to fuel a large-scale, advanced combined cycle gas turbine at Plant McDonough-Atkinson in Smyrna, Georgia.
The test marks the highest published hydrogen blend flow rate for a natural gas-fired advanced class gas turbine to-date and was conducted as part of Georgia Power's commitment to reduce carbon emissions across its power generation fleet. Certarus' mobile energy distribution platform provided over 4,000 kilograms of hydrogen for a 20% hydrogen, 80% natural gas fuel blend to support testing and monitoring for one of six gas turbines at the site over four days.
Chevron, BP Among Major Players Snagging RNG Investments
A Chevron Corp. subsidiary has inked an agreement to supply Walmart Inc. with compressed natural gas linked to renewable natural gas production. Beginning in early 2023, Walmart plans to add Cummins Inc.’s 15-liter CNG-fired engines to some of its heavy-duty trucks. Two years ago, Chevron partnered with San Francisco-based Brightmark LLC and co-developed 19 RNG projects across the United States.
Meanwhile, Gevo Inc. said its Iowa RNG project has been producing and is now upgrading the project to inject RNG into the gas pipeline for BP Canada Energy Marketing Corp. and BP Products North America Inc. The project, which came online in late January, is expected to produce about 355,000 MMBtu/year once at full operational capacity.
Chevron: Beyond6 Brings More CNG Options to Trucking Industry
A newly formed joint venture between Chevron and Mercuria Energy Trading, Beyond6 will work to develop a U.S. compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling network supplied with renewable natural gas (RNG).
Chevron and Mercuria purchased American Natural Gas, a Beyond6 company, and its 60 CNG stations in 17 states across the country. These stations are being rebranded as Beyond6. The rebranding process is expected to conclude by the end of June. Chevron’s goal is to grow its RNG value chain; this deal complements its previously announced plan to open more than 30 Chevron-branded CNG stations by 2025.
Hydrogen Will Give U.S. Natural Gas Pipes New Life in Carbon-Free World
Natural gas companies plan to use hydrogen and renewable natural gas (RNG) made from landfills or agricultural waste to extend the life of existing pipelines in a future carbon-free world, energy executives said at the Reuters Global Energy Transition conference.
"About two years ago, we took a look (to determine) the place for a gas utility in California" as the state becomes carbon neutral by 2045, said Neil Navin, vice president for clean energy innovations at Southern California Gas (SoCalGas). SoCalGas determined a decarbonized gas system "is the most resilient, reliable and cheapest way to balance the value of renewables," Navin said.
Things You Need to Know About Canada’s Growing Renewable Natural Gas Utilization
In British Columbia, the CleanBC Plan aims to have 15% of natural gas supply consist of renewable gases such as RNG by 2030. Alberta and Québec have implemented carbon offset systems which award landfills and agricultural facilities for collecting and utilizing biogas. From 2021 to 2030, Canadian RNG production potential is expected to grow by 7% simply from industry and population growth.
As of 2021, there are approximately 279 biogas and RNG projects being operated in Canada, and it is estimated that only 14% of Canada’s feasible biogas and RNG potential is being realized. This means new RNG projects can contribute significantly to helping Canada achieve its climate target of reducing methane emissions 30% below 2020 levels by 2030. It is estimated that by 2030, RNG production globally will be seven times that of 2020, and by 2050, global production will be 27 times that of 2020.
Enchanted Rock to Build California’s Largest RNG Microgrid for Microsoft
Microsoft has contracted with Enchanted Rock to develop a data center microgrid — the largest microgrid in California to date that will use renewable natural gas (RNG) to offset fossil fuels. Located in San Jose, a city whose mayor has become an outspoken advocate of microgrids and grid independence, the microgrid will be part of a Microsoft data center being constructed.
Plans call for a 100-MW microgrid that will include 224 natural gas generators, each with a 0.45 MW capacity. The microgrid represents a growing trend of offsetting use of fossil fuels with RNG, a fuel made from capturing methane produced by decomposing waste from livestock, water treatment, food and other sources.
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