RNG NEWS
‘RNG a Breakthrough Solution’ for Trucking, Says Clean Energy CEO As Supply, Stations Grow
Clean Energy Fuels Corp. is continuing to advance renewable natural gas (RNG) supply with a “robust” pipeline of more than 20 production projects progressing, CEO Andrew Littlefair said during the first quarter update.
WM CEO Jim Fish Discusses the Economy, Labor Automation and Sustainability Investments
As the waste and recycling industry continues to evolve, its largest company — WM — remains a key barometer for the pace of innovation and economic activity in the sector.
Following the company’s recent Q1 earnings report, CEO Jim Fish was in the spotlight during multiple sessions at last week’s WasteExpo. During a keynote session, Fish said one of his top goals for the year ahead was to ensure that big spending plans for renewable natural gas projects at landfills and MRF expansions — described as “critically important for us” — are rolled out smoothly. He also discussed how certain investments in automation can reduce the company’s labor costs through attrition, including the example of how turnover for MRF jobs can be as high as 40-50%.
Dairy Digester Project Featured During EPA Visit
An Environmental Protection Agency Regional Director says anaerobic digesters are a solution for waste management and capturing farm emissions.
EPA Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore tells Brownfield the agency, along with USDA, is working to accelerate anaerobic digestion capacity to reduce methane emissions and divert food waste from landfills while generating a renewable energy source, “I think this model with an independent operator and manager so the farmer can focus on what they do best, may be the successful way that we can build out,” she says.
She visited Horning Farms outside of Ann Arbor Friday which will be working with Vanguard Renewables to use the farm’s manure along with food waste from southeast Michigan to create renewable natural gas.
Hitachi Zosen Inova Awarded Major Renewable Natural Gas Project by 3 Rivers Energy Partners
Hitachi Zosen Inova USA is pleased to announce it has been contracted to design, supply and install an integrated renewable natural gas (RNG) plant consisting of a 648,000 gal/day Wet Anaerobic Digester (AD), Amine Biogas Upgrader System (BGU), and integrated process piping and controls for 3 Rivers Energy Partners.
The 3 Rivers Energy Partners owned and operated facility will utilize new Wet AD technology that will use spent stillage as the feedstock allowing the plant to turn waste into energy. The AD system will power an adjacent distillery with RNG, providing 65% of its gas needs. Importantly, the RNG facility will help to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions by 50%.
“When it came time to pick a partner to help us build one of the country’s largest renewable natural gas production and treatment facilities, we knew we needed a company with superior expertise and experience. Hitachi Zosen Inova was a clear choice for us,” said John Rivers, CEO of 3 Rivers Energy Partners.
AlterAg Industries And Novilla RNG To Produce Renewable Natural Gas On AlterAg’s Lynn Farms
AlterAg Industries Corporation a vertically integrated dairy farm and dairy products company, today announced agreement with Buckhorn RNG, LLC a wholly owned subsidiary of Novilla Investment Holdings, to produce renewable natural gas, and other useful products from manure generation by AlterAg’s Lynn dairy farm operations. Under the agreement, Novilla will construct, own and operate a manure conversion facility on AlterAg’s Lynn farm property that is anticipated to produce more than 120,000MMBtu of renewable natural gas per year from waste-manure — the energy equivalent to approximately 900,000 gallons of gasoline or 875,000 gallons of propane. The AlterAg and Novilla project will also preempt greenhouse gas emission equivalent to 6,500 or more automobiles, annually.
Commenting on the announcement, AlterAg’s Chief Executive Officer, Ron Braatz, said, “AlterAg’s mission continues to be production and distribution of high-quality milk and branded dairy products by controlling and balancing the supply chain between tillable farmland and branded dairy products. Our added challenge is to meet our strategic plan with a specific focus on animal health and care, socially conscious practices, a clean environment, and predictable profit.
“Today’s announcement with Novilla RNG furthers our objectives by being able to convert millions of tons of manure into eco-friendly natural gas and high-quality fertilizers, to further remove greenhouse gas emissions from our atmosphere, and to generate additional profit.”
Shell Starship 3.0 To Explore Potential of RNG
Shell is boldly going into the world of renewable natural gas (RNG), using the fuel to power the latest version of its aerodynamic Starship truck.
It’s the third iteration of the space-age-looking configuration, first showcased in 2018.
Central to the powertrain will be a Cummins X15N engine.
Tyson Working With Companies To Capture Biomethane From Meat Processing Plant
A second Tyson Foods meat processing plant will be the focus of an effort to capture methane from the operation.
NW Natural and BioCarbN said they will partner with Tyson Foods in Dakota City, Nebraska, with NW Natural investing approximately $12 million to convert methane captured from operation into renewable natural gas, also known as biomethane, to heat homes and businesses.
The companies partnered with Tyson’s Lexington, Nebraska, plant in 2022.
Viridi and Vespene Launch Joint Pilot Site
Vespene Energy, a biogas renewable energy developer, and Viridi Energy, a full-service renewable natural gas (RNG) platform, have today announced the launch of their first joint pilot site with a municipal landfill in Marathon County, Wisconsin.
The companies said they are using highly efficient energy generation equipment to convert the naturally occurring landfill byproduct of methane gas into electricity that powers a variety of on-site uses - including data processing.
The pilot project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while generating revenue to subsidize Viridi's investment in building a state-of-the-art RNG facility at the landfill.
Anaergia to Supply Renewable Natural Gas to FuelCell Energy to Create Renewable Hydrogen Supporting Toyota’s Landmark Port Facility
Anaergia Inc. announced today that its subsidiary SoCal Biomethane will supply renewable natural gas as facilitated by renewable fuels marketer Anew Climate to FuelCell Energy’s Tri-gen system to produce carbon-negative hydrogen and electricity for Toyota Motor North America, Inc.’s (TMNA) Logistics Services Center at the Port of Long Beach in California. The facility is Toyota’s largest port operation handling import/exports for North America and processes about 200,000 vehicles per year.
FuelCell Energy’s Tri-gen system will produce approximately 1.3 tons of renewable hydrogen per day which will fuel Toyota Mirai vehicles. The fuel cells will also produce a net 2.3 megawatts (MW) of electricity—enough to power Toyota Logistics Services Center—and will add renewable electricity to the grid, as well as produce roughly 1,400 gallons of water a day that will be used for car-washing operations.
Verbio Buys South Bend Ethanol Plant, Plans $230M Renewable Natural Gas Expansion
South Bend Ethanol LLC in South Bend, Indiana, has new ownership and is expected to see a $230 million investment in the plant to expand its operation into renewable natural gas production.
Verbio North America Holdings Corp. announced on Monday it has completed the purchase of the plant from Mercuria Investments U.S., Inc.
It will be Verbio's second ethanol facility following the commissioning of its first plant bought in Nevada, Iowa. The company also produces renewable natural gas at the Iowa plant.