Renewable Energy and Co Products

Biogas – A Key Role in Renewable Energy

Biogas is generated through the controlled anaerobic digestion of organic materials and is an ecologically friendly alternative to fossil fuels. The methane-rich gas can be used to fuel a combined heat and power unit or upgraded to natural gas.

Electricity and Thermal Energy
The biogas can be supplied to a combined Heat and Power Unit (CHP) to generate electricity which can be used on-site or fed into the utility or micro grid. The CHP can also produce thermal energy to either heat the digestion or other industrial processes.

Biogas Upgrading Unit
Biogas can also be upgraded to compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquid natural gas (LNG) which can be used as vehicle fuel. Through this cleaning process, the gas can also reach the quality of renewable natural gas (RNG) and fed into utility pipeline system.

Digestate – A Valuable Co Product

One of the co products of producing biogas is a nutrient-rich digestate. It can be of solid or liquid nature and used as valuable soil amendment, fertilizer or compost.

RFS Standard and RIN credits

Based on recent EPA changes to the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS2), biogas produced at landfills and from organics at municipal waste-water treatment facilities, on farms, in municipal solid waste, energy crops and crop residues, now qualifies as an advanced cellulosic biofuel when used as:

CNG, LNG to fuel vehicles
Electricity for electric vehicles (battery and fuel cell)
DME (diesel replacement)

Biogas used as mentioned above is able to qualify for Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) and eligible to receive RIN credits, which can further improve the return on investment of anaerobic digestion projects.