Constellation to Develop 27 MW Biogas Co-Generation Power Plant for City of Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation

Constellation today announced that it has signed an agreement with the City of Los Angeles to design, build and operate a 27-megawatt (MW) renewable energy power plant at L.A. Sanitation’s Hyperion Treatment Plant.

Hyperion is among the 10 largest wastewater treatment facilities in the world, according to a 2012 Engineering News Record report. The sewage treatment process at Hyperion generates a class 1 renewable fuel known as digester gas. The new power plant, which will cost approximately $130 million to construct, will use the digester gas produced at Hyperion as its primary fuel source. The power plant will produce steam and electricity that will be used to operate Hyperion’s treatment operations.

“This state-of-the-art facility will reduce emissions at the Hyperion plant and secure for our city a new energy source that is reliable, efficient and sustainable,” said Traci Minamide, L.A. Sanitation’s chief operating officer.

“Constellation is uniquely qualified to develop and operate this integrated, self-sustaining solution for the City of Los Angeles and L.A. Sanitation,” said Gary Fromer, senior vice president, energy management programs, Constellation. “Our objective is to deliver and operate for the city a power plant that will become a nationwide model for reliable, cost-efficient, sustainable power solutions at wastewater treatment facilities.”

L.A. Sanitation selected Constellation as the project developer after a lengthy competitive bidding process. Constellation and its subcontractors will develop, construct and operate the co-generation facility for 10 years, with an option to extend the agreement for five additional years. Commercial operation of the Hyperion co-generation facility is expected by the end of 2016.

EPA Recognizes Partners for Landfill Gas Energy Achievements (2013)

Each year, EPA’s Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP) recognizes select Partners for excellence in innovation and creativity, success in promoting landfill gas (LFG) energy, and achieving both environmental and economic benefits. These award-winning LFG energy projects and companies contribute to job creation and provide energy savings and green power generation. On January 22, 2014, Partners accepted the following awards at LMOP’s 17th Annual Conference and Project Expo in Baltimore, Maryland.
 
2013 Projects of the Year: LMOP was pleased to recognize two projects that create renewable energy from a local source while also protecting the climate and strengthening the economy. Together, these projects will avoid the emissions of 276,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year, which is the equivalent of the carbon sequestered annually by more than 200,000 acres of U.S. forests or the carbon dioxide emissions from more than 600,000 barrels of oil consumed.

• Blue Ridge Renewable Energy Plant, Pennsylvania — A true private/public partnership, LFG supplier IESI Blue Ridge Landfill, power purchaser Borough of Chambersburg, and project developer PPL Renewable Energy (PPLRE) worked closely together to bring this 6.4-megawatt LFG electricity project online after only seven months of construction. In addition to designing, constructing, owning, and operating the LFG electricity plant at the landfill, PPLRE designed, permitted, and built the dedicated, 4-mile Express Generator Feeder (EGF) from the plant to the Borough’s Cree substation. The Borough obtained easements for the EGF, assumed ownership of the line upon project completion, and will maintain it. The EGF traversed several obstacles, including a shopping mall, a high-voltage power line, an interstate, wetlands, a stream, a housing subdivision, and a farmer’s fields, and was also structured to minimize impacts on birds. Successful completion of this project was particularly satisfying and is an example of determination in overcoming the odds, as interconnection-related issues had thwarted other developers for years. Coming full circle, waste that Borough residents and businesses deposited in the landfill now supplies about 15 percent of its 11,000 customers’ electric needs, plus the Borough was able to decrease the price of electricity those customers pay. In addition, the project generates 50,000 renewable energy credits (RECs) annually toward meeting the state RPS goal.


• Seminole Road Landfill Renewable Fuels Facility, Georgia — With an LFG electricity project thriving for several years, DeKalb County wanted to find a creative outlet for its excess LFG. Given air permitting limitations for engines and a desire to save money and reduce emissions from county vehicles, self-developing a renewable natural gas (RNG) and renewable compressed natural gas (RCNG) project was the way to go. In 2010, the county received about $7 million through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to build its Renewable Fuels Facility (RFF) and to purchase about 40 new CNG-fueled waste collection trucks. In the RFF, contaminants such as hydrogen sulfide, siloxanes, VOCs, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and oxygen are removed from approximately 550 standard cubic feet per minute of LFG to create RNG. Some of the RNG is delivered into the nearby Atlanta Gas Light (AGL) pipeline, while the rest is dried and compressed to become RCNG, which is then dispensed to county vehicles and the public at the onsite fueling station. The county, surrounding community, and environment benefit from the RCNG station, as it offers a fuel price lower than diesel or gasoline and will offset the use of 15 million gallons of these fossil fuels each year. Large windows in the RFF building allow convenient and safe viewing of the operations for a range of visitors from local students to international technical delegates.

2013 Community Partner of the Year: Gaston County Solid Waste and Recycling Division, North Carolina — Forward-thinking Gaston County identified three primary sustainability goals in 2008 related to its waste management practices: reduce landfill emissions, produce renewable energy, and provide infrastructure for a new Eco-Industrial Park. With a voluntary gas collection system installed, a self-developed LFG electricity project (2.8 megawatts) in operation, and the Park’s grading and utility hook-ups in place, the county is well on its way to realizing all of its main objectives. The Renewable Energy Center was designed to accommodate additional LFG engines in the future, and also has a solar panel array on its roof for bonus renewable electricity to offset the building’s parasitic load. Several local, state, and federal officials have toured the Center to learn about LFG energy, and county staff visit schools to educate students about a range of waste-related topics including a hands-on landfill model. The Park was designed to interconnect with the Center, and the county plans to make excess LFG as well as waste heat from the LFG electricity project available to future Park tenants. The Park is intended as a location for “green” businesses to grow and thrive, and potential tenants include a biodiesel facility and a food-waste anaerobic digester.

Iogen Announces New Drop-In Cellulosic Biofuel From Biogas

Iogen Corporation announced it has developed and patented a new method to make drop-in cellulosic biofuels from biogas using existing refinery assets and production operations.

The company estimates there is refining capacity in place to incorporate 5-6 billion gallons per year of renewable hydrogen content into gasoline and diesel fuel. Iogen will initially commercialize the approach using landfill biogas, and then expand production using biogas made in the cellulosic ethanol facilities it is currently developing.

The production method involves processing biogas to make renewable hydrogen and incorporating the renewable hydrogen into finished fuels in selected refinery hydrogenating units.

The overall greenhouse gas emissions are reduced by more than 60%, meeting the threshold for cellulosic biofuel in the USA. Iogen said it is actively consulting with the EPA and CARB to gain pathway approval for cellulosic RIN and LCFS credit generation.

“Biogas is produced today from landfills, wastewater treatment plants, waste digestion facilities, and farm digesters with well-proven technology,” says Patrick Foody, Iogen’s Executive Vice President, Advanced Biofuels. “We can now take biogas and make specification gasoline and diesel with renewable content using well-proven existing refining operations. It is a win for everybody.”

The company says it is planning to use the technology in association with two large-scale US cellulosic ethanol plants it is developing, resulting in increased overall cellulosic biofuel yields per unit of feedstock, lower unit capital costs, and lower water usage per unit of biofuel production. The company made the announcement at US EPA’s Landfill Methane Outreach Project Conference in Baltimore.

Encina Wastewater Authority Announces Joint Venture to Recycling Waste Cooking Oil Into Renewable Energy

The Encina Wastewater Authority (EWA) announced the award of a contract to J.R. Filanc Construction and partnership with Liquid Environmental Solutions to build an Alternative Fuel Receiving Facility that will recycle waste cooking oil and other food wastes. These organic materials that would otherwise be sent to landfill will be used to produce renewable energy to help the EWA achieve energy independence.

EWA currently produces nearly 80% of its 2.2 MW annual electricity demand from biogas that is created during the wastewater treatment process. Wastewater treatment is a biological process, relying on bacteria or “bugs” to decompose biological and chemical waste. This process results in the release of methane gases that are recaptured through EWA’s PureEnergy program and are used to power biogas engines that generate electricity at EWA and deliver heat to other EWA system processes.

“Through our joint venture and design-build contract with J.R. Filanc Construction and HDR Engineering, and a fuel delivery partnership with Liquid Environmental Solutions, our commitment to the Alternative Fuel Receiving Project means that EWA will soon be a ‘net-zero’ energy consumer. Using resources embedded in the wastewater stream to achieve energy independence is key to sustainable water resources management,” said Kevin Hardy, General Manager at Encina Wastewater Authority.

The Alternative Fuel Receiving Project will deliver fats, oils and grease (FOG), liquefied food waste and other higher strength digestible organic substrate to the EWA’s Water Pollution Control Facility (EWPCF). This waste will be anaerobically digested to yield additional biogas fuel to supplement current unused digestion capacity. EWA anticipates the project will pay for itself during the first 4 years of operation.    

“This investment reflects EWA’s mission to provide sustainable and fiscally responsible services while maximizing the use of alternative and renewable resources,” said Jim Poltl, Chair of the EWA Board of Directors. “Infrastructure investments that result in outstanding environmental outcomes and enhance our energy self-sufficiency help EWA save money on operating costs and keep rates low for all our customers here in north San Diego county.”

Construction of the Alternative Fuel Receiving Facility is expected to commence during the 1st quarter of 2014 with completion approximately six months later.

NY Governor Cuomo Announces $21 Million to Create Economic Opportunity for Dairy Farmers Statewide

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced nearly $21 million will be available to create new economic opportunities for New York’s dairy farmers by helping them to produce renewable energy and improve their business operations. The funding will help dairy farmers convert farm waste to energy and develop individualized business and environmental plans to reduce operating costs and increase profitability. The funding for these efforts stem from recommendations made at Governor Cuomo’s Yogurt Summit in 2012 to ensure that the industry continues to grow and create jobs in New York State. In his 2014 State of the State Address, Governor Cuomo pledged a second Yogurt Summit to identify additional economic growth opportunities within this growing sector of the economy.

“The State is committed to creating new economic opportunities for our dairy farmers, who have helped make New York the Yogurt Capital of the nation,” Governor Cuomo said. “With this funding, we are providing significant financial assistance to farmers so they can cut their energy costs, increase efficiencies in their operations, and develop plans to expand their businesses and contribute to cleaner communities. This year, we are also launching a second Yogurt Summit to ensure the state’s dairy industry continues to thrive and grow the Upstate economy.”

John B. Rhodes, President and CEO, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), said, “The anaerobic digester funding coupled with the Dairy Acceleration Program funding is another step the State is taking, under Governor Cuomo, to assist farmers in reducing their operating costs and in generating clean energy. Farmers that utilize anaerobic digester technology are able to produce renewable energy and lower their costs while providing a number of environmental benefits to their local communities.”

Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Joe Martens said, “Governor Cuomo’s continued support has achieved environmentally responsible growth in the dairy industry throughout the state. This collaboration with our partners, including Cornell University, provides farms with the technical expertise they need to help protect New York’s natural resources and open spaces.”

Waste-to-Energy Anaerobic Digesters

Starting on January 17, $20 million will be available through NYSERDA to install anaerobic digester technology that produces renewable biogas used to produce electricity and heat from organic wastes. Farms, food processing manufacturers or municipal wastewater sites would be eligible for up to $2 million per project.

Biogas-to-power technology has several steps. Dairy manure and other organic wastes are pumped into digestion tanks where bacteria break down the waste, creating a methane-rich gas called biogas and a nutrient-rich effluent that can be applied to crops as fertilizer. The biogas is burned in engines to produce electricity and heat. Through this process, farmers can often eliminate a significant portion of the electricity they would otherwise purchase from the utility grid, and periodically export surplus electricity onto the electrical grid in exchange for credits. Furthermore, farmers can realize operational savings in other areas as well.

Over the past 10 years, NYSERDA and the New York Power Authority have awarded nearly $30 million toward anaerobic digestion projects and related technology, resulting in significant energy savings to New York-based businesses while reducing the use of fossil fuel. Currently, this funding supports 20 operational digester projects. The digester technology funding will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for eligible projects.

Dairy Acceleration Program

Funding for the Dairy Acceleration Program (DAP) will be increased by $850,000, which is in addition to the $1 million announced by the Governor this past August. DAP is jointly funded by the Department of Agriculture and Markets and DEC. DAP is resonating very positively with dairy farmers across the state, most with herds under 300 cows. Combined with some funding still available under the current program, this new funding will serve at least 100 more dairy farms across New York.

Payments under DAP may include: up to $5,000 per farm to write a business plan or develop a combination of a business and facility growth plan; and up to $4,500 to update an existing Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP) or $6,000 to develop a new one. Additional funds also will be available to design farm practices described in CNMPs. CNMPs are a conservation system for animal feeding operations designed to address soil erosion and water quality concerns. The CNMP encompasses the storage and handling of manure as well as using and applying manure nutrients on farm land. Through DAP, the state awarded dozens of projects already for farms with an average herd of about 140 cows.

Business planning may include financial analysis, farmstead development planning, facility planning and capital investment planning for increased milk production per cow. Environmental planning includes CNMP development and updates. Farms without an existing CNMP can hire a certified Nutrient Management planner to develop a new CNMP.

To be eligible for DAP, a dairy cattle farm must have complete financial records. Preference will be given to farms with under 300 cows. DAP funding will cover up to 80 percent of a project’s cost.

Modern milk production requires expertise from a number of disciplines, ranging from agronomics, environmental science, animal husbandry, crop science, human resource management, and financial and strategic planning. Through DAP, farmers will be able to tap into the expertise of the Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) network, Cornell PRO-DAIRY, certified Agricultural Environmental Management planners and other agricultural programs to facilitate and grow their business and in turn increase production on their farms.

Tom Overton, Professor of Dairy Management at Cornell University and Director of PRO-DAIRY, said, “We have been very pleased with the excellent response of New York dairy farmers to this program to date. The awarded projects have been of high quality and will help these farms both meet the increased demand for milk and be successful as businesses. These new funds will be directed entirely toward funding additional projects under this program. We thank Governor Cuomo and New York State for their vision in recognizing that success at the farm-level is imperative for long-term support of our growing dairy manufacturing industry.”

Gary and Connie Menard, Owners of Happy Haven Dairy, a 60-cow dairy farm in Clinton County, said, “Our dairy farm has begun our very first generational transfer. This brings us to a crossroads that offers many options and possibilities. The Dairy Acceleration Program has allowed us to hire independent consultants to crunch our numbers and evaluate our business with the goal of offering profitable suggestions as we move forward. These types of professional people are always impractical to hire at our farm size because the cost was always prohibitive with the cash flow that smaller farms work with. Our farm has a very exciting future and the Dairy Acceleration Program came at a perfect time for us. We strongly suggest any progressive farm willing to make changes for a better future to look into this program.”