From an article in the Appleton Post-Crescent:
Hickory Meadows landfill in Hilbert has unlocked its green energy potential.
A plant installed on site will produce renewable energy from the waste, Veolia Energy North America announced Tuesday.
The facility, known as the gas-to-energy project, had been under construction since December 2010. It will remove all waste and inject that dirty methane haze produced at the landfill into its combustion engines to generate electric power.
Previously, the gas — half methane and half carbon dioxide — which is produced by bacteria digesting the waste, was flared up at the landfill.
Veolia said the gas-to-energy project has the capacity to generate 42,000-megawatt hours of renewable electricity annually, enough to power 2,800 homes.
The energy company plans to sell all the power to Wisconsin Public Service. Wisconsin Public Service Corp. in Green Bay serves about 437,000 electrical customers and 317,000 natural gas customers in northern and central Wisconsin and a portion of Michigan's upper peninsula.
The green technology is a positive step for Veolia, which noted the state's goal of having 10 percent of its retail energy needs come from renewable sources by 2015.
Showing posts with label Biogas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Biogas. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Thursday, July 7, 2011
City of Sheboygan wins sustainability award for self-powering wastewater treatment plant
From a news release issued by Capstone Turbine Corporation:
CHATSWORTH, Calif., July 7, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Capstone Turbine Corporation (www.capstoneturbine.com) (Nasdaq:CPST - News), the world's leading clean technology manufacturer of microturbine energy systems, today announced that the City of Sheboygan, Wisconsin received a prestigious award from the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative (GLSLCI) for nearing self-sufficiency at its wastewater treatment plant using Capstone microturbines.
The city of Sheboygan was the only GLSLCI member city in the U.S. and Canada to receive the Wege Small Cities Sustainability Best Practices Award, which recognizes GLSLCI member cities working to protect the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River, restore them, and improve the quality of the water resources for future generations. GLSLCI is a bi-national coalition of mayors and other local officials that work actively with federal, state, and provincial governments.
Rather than flare excess methane gas -- the byproduct from sewage treatment processes that has a greenhouse gas impact on the atmosphere 21 times greater than carbon dioxide -- the Sheboygan plant uses the methane to fuel 10 Capstone C30 and two C200 microturbines in a combined heat and power (CHP) application. Using waste methane as fuel, the microturbines fulfill 90 percent of the plant's annual energy needs and nearly eliminate the need to purchase natural gas for heating.
"We wanted something that made sense for the bottom line and the environment," said Dale Doerr, the plant's Superintendent. "The Capstone cogeneration system helps protect the environment and keep our costs down."
CHATSWORTH, Calif., July 7, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Capstone Turbine Corporation (www.capstoneturbine.com) (Nasdaq:CPST - News), the world's leading clean technology manufacturer of microturbine energy systems, today announced that the City of Sheboygan, Wisconsin received a prestigious award from the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative (GLSLCI) for nearing self-sufficiency at its wastewater treatment plant using Capstone microturbines.
The city of Sheboygan was the only GLSLCI member city in the U.S. and Canada to receive the Wege Small Cities Sustainability Best Practices Award, which recognizes GLSLCI member cities working to protect the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River, restore them, and improve the quality of the water resources for future generations. GLSLCI is a bi-national coalition of mayors and other local officials that work actively with federal, state, and provincial governments.
Rather than flare excess methane gas -- the byproduct from sewage treatment processes that has a greenhouse gas impact on the atmosphere 21 times greater than carbon dioxide -- the Sheboygan plant uses the methane to fuel 10 Capstone C30 and two C200 microturbines in a combined heat and power (CHP) application. Using waste methane as fuel, the microturbines fulfill 90 percent of the plant's annual energy needs and nearly eliminate the need to purchase natural gas for heating.
"We wanted something that made sense for the bottom line and the environment," said Dale Doerr, the plant's Superintendent. "The Capstone cogeneration system helps protect the environment and keep our costs down."
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Sheboygan wastewater facility generates enough energy to be self-powered
From an article by Dan Benson in the Sheboygan Press:
Thanks to improvements made in recent months, the Sheboygan wastewater treatment plant is one of the few facilities of its kind — perhaps the only one in the nation — capable of generating enough energy to fully power its operation.
In fact, on weekends, when less equipment is operating and fewer people are working, the plant has generated an excess of electrical energy, which it sells back to Alliant Energy, according to Dale Doerr, wastewater superintendent.
"About a month ago, we were producing 115 percent (of the plant's energy needs)," Doerr said. "It turned the meter 'backward' for a time."
The city treatment plant is able to do that with the help of two 200-kilowatt micro turbines, which were installed in December with the help of a five-year $1.2 million loan from Alliant Energy's Shared Savings Agreement and $400,000 in grants from Alliant's Focus on Energy program.
The turbines run on "biogas" — methane gas generated by treated sewage. Exhaust from running the turbines also is used to heat water, buildings and the digesters at the plant, 3333 Lakeshore Drive.
Thanks to improvements made in recent months, the Sheboygan wastewater treatment plant is one of the few facilities of its kind — perhaps the only one in the nation — capable of generating enough energy to fully power its operation.
In fact, on weekends, when less equipment is operating and fewer people are working, the plant has generated an excess of electrical energy, which it sells back to Alliant Energy, according to Dale Doerr, wastewater superintendent.
"About a month ago, we were producing 115 percent (of the plant's energy needs)," Doerr said. "It turned the meter 'backward' for a time."
The city treatment plant is able to do that with the help of two 200-kilowatt micro turbines, which were installed in December with the help of a five-year $1.2 million loan from Alliant Energy's Shared Savings Agreement and $400,000 in grants from Alliant's Focus on Energy program.
The turbines run on "biogas" — methane gas generated by treated sewage. Exhaust from running the turbines also is used to heat water, buildings and the digesters at the plant, 3333 Lakeshore Drive.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Upgrades help Sheboygan wastewater facility generate energy to be self-powered
From an article by Dan Benson in the Sheboygan Press:
Thanks to improvements made in recent months, the Sheboygan wastewater treatment plant is one of the few facilities of its kind — perhaps the only one in the nation — capable of generating enough energy to fully power its operation.
In fact, on weekends, when less equipment is operating and fewer people are working, the plant has generated an excess of electrical energy, which it sells back to Alliant Energy, according to Dale Doerr, wastewater superintendent.
"About a month ago, we were producing 115 percent (of the plant's energy needs)," Doerr said. "It turned the meter 'backward' for a time."
The city treatment plant is able to do that with the help of two 200-kilowatt micro turbines, which were installed in December with the help of a five-year $1.2 million loan from Alliant Energy's Shared Savings Agreement and $400,000 in grants from Alliant's Focus on Energy program.
The turbines run on "biogas" — methane gas generated by treated sewage. Exhaust from running the turbines also is used to heat water, buildings and the digesters at the plant, 3333 Lakeshore Drive.
The new turbines are part of a $4.5 million construction project to upgrade the plant, which includes improving the overall energy efficiency of the plant. In all, the plant is realizing energy savings of 17.5 percent, or 1 million kilowatts, and up to $221,000 a year.
Those funds are used to pay back the Alliant Energy loan, Doerr said.
That makes the Sheboygan treatment plant the only secondary treatment facility in the nation capable of generating enough power to meet all its energy needs, officials say.
Thanks to improvements made in recent months, the Sheboygan wastewater treatment plant is one of the few facilities of its kind — perhaps the only one in the nation — capable of generating enough energy to fully power its operation.
In fact, on weekends, when less equipment is operating and fewer people are working, the plant has generated an excess of electrical energy, which it sells back to Alliant Energy, according to Dale Doerr, wastewater superintendent.
"About a month ago, we were producing 115 percent (of the plant's energy needs)," Doerr said. "It turned the meter 'backward' for a time."
The city treatment plant is able to do that with the help of two 200-kilowatt micro turbines, which were installed in December with the help of a five-year $1.2 million loan from Alliant Energy's Shared Savings Agreement and $400,000 in grants from Alliant's Focus on Energy program.
The turbines run on "biogas" — methane gas generated by treated sewage. Exhaust from running the turbines also is used to heat water, buildings and the digesters at the plant, 3333 Lakeshore Drive.
The new turbines are part of a $4.5 million construction project to upgrade the plant, which includes improving the overall energy efficiency of the plant. In all, the plant is realizing energy savings of 17.5 percent, or 1 million kilowatts, and up to $221,000 a year.
Those funds are used to pay back the Alliant Energy loan, Doerr said.
That makes the Sheboygan treatment plant the only secondary treatment facility in the nation capable of generating enough power to meet all its energy needs, officials say.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Energy groups oppose bill to undermine Wisconsin's renewable energy commitment
From statements issued by three groups in opposition to Assembly Bill 146:
"Clearly, this bill is a drastic step in the wrong direction for our state. The Wisconsin Energy Business Association therefore opposes this attack on renewable energy in our state." - Wisconsin Energy Business Association. Full statement.
We strongly recommend that this bill not be approved as it solves no known problem in Wisconsin and seeks only to roll-back policies on renewable energy that have served the state well and are otherwise benefitting Wisconsin residents with cleaner air and lower prices for electricity. - Wind on the Wires. Full statement.
Fresh attack on Wisconsin voters’ desire for a renewable energy standard would kill wind projects and sap state’s economy, say wind energy advocates - American Wind Energy Association. Full statement.
"Clearly, this bill is a drastic step in the wrong direction for our state. The Wisconsin Energy Business Association therefore opposes this attack on renewable energy in our state." - Wisconsin Energy Business Association. Full statement.
We strongly recommend that this bill not be approved as it solves no known problem in Wisconsin and seeks only to roll-back policies on renewable energy that have served the state well and are otherwise benefitting Wisconsin residents with cleaner air and lower prices for electricity. - Wind on the Wires. Full statement.
Fresh attack on Wisconsin voters’ desire for a renewable energy standard would kill wind projects and sap state’s economy, say wind energy advocates - American Wind Energy Association. Full statement.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Focus offers competitive grants to businesses for large renewable energy projects
From a news release issued by Focus on Energy:
Completed proposals due April 30, 2011
MADISON, Wis. (March 11, 2011) – Today, Focus on Energy, Wisconsin utilities’ statewide program for energy efficiency and renewable energy, announced that businesses can compete for incentives for large renewable energy systems. The Large Renewable Energy System Competitive Incentives allow Wisconsin businesses and organizations to apply for funds to help implement large renewable energy systems.
Businesses can receive an incentive of up to 30 percent of the project costs to complete a renewable energy project that is well-researched, documented, and justified. Eligible, large-scale renewable energy systems may include: solar electric, solar hot-water, wind electric, biomass energy, and anaerobic digestion (biogas).
“Renewable energy technology offers businesses deeper energy cost savings after energy efficiency measures are implemented.” said Ken Williams, Focus on Energy’s business programs director. “Focus’ large renewable energy competitive incentives help businesses defray some of the upfront investment cost of a renewable energy system, resulting in a quicker payback."
Any type of business, school, government entity, agribusiness, and apartments/condo facilities can apply for a Focus competitive incentive. The application and details are available online at focusonenergy.com/competitive_incentives. Applications are due by April 30, 2011.
Completed proposals due April 30, 2011
MADISON, Wis. (March 11, 2011) – Today, Focus on Energy, Wisconsin utilities’ statewide program for energy efficiency and renewable energy, announced that businesses can compete for incentives for large renewable energy systems. The Large Renewable Energy System Competitive Incentives allow Wisconsin businesses and organizations to apply for funds to help implement large renewable energy systems.
Businesses can receive an incentive of up to 30 percent of the project costs to complete a renewable energy project that is well-researched, documented, and justified. Eligible, large-scale renewable energy systems may include: solar electric, solar hot-water, wind electric, biomass energy, and anaerobic digestion (biogas).
“Renewable energy technology offers businesses deeper energy cost savings after energy efficiency measures are implemented.” said Ken Williams, Focus on Energy’s business programs director. “Focus’ large renewable energy competitive incentives help businesses defray some of the upfront investment cost of a renewable energy system, resulting in a quicker payback."
Any type of business, school, government entity, agribusiness, and apartments/condo facilities can apply for a Focus competitive incentive. The application and details are available online at focusonenergy.com/competitive_incentives. Applications are due by April 30, 2011.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Fire spare energy-producing digester at Lake Breeze Dairy in Town of Calumet
From an article in The Northwestern, Oshkosh:
TOWN OF CALUMET — Nine fire departments and quick-thinking owners helped avoid further tragedy Sunday night as fire destroyed a shed at one of Fond du Lac County's largest dairy farms.
The machine and equipment shed at Lake Breeze Dairy, W2651 Kiel Road, was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived at about 10 p.m. Sunday, according to the Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Department report.
Of immediate concern for firefighters were two engines that convert methane from a digester into electricity that were stored inside the shed, said Brian Gerrits, co-owner of Lake Breeze Dairy.
"I think we did a good job avoiding a catastrophe," Gerrits said. "The anaerobic digester has a lot of methane gas in it. The gas line is a large pipe about 12 inches in diameter that brings the methane into that building. When I was told the building was engulfed … I told (co-owner Mark Diederichs) to make sure every fire department knows what they are dealing with."
Gerrits said firefighters backed away from the shed after hearing about the digester until the gas was shut off.
TOWN OF CALUMET — Nine fire departments and quick-thinking owners helped avoid further tragedy Sunday night as fire destroyed a shed at one of Fond du Lac County's largest dairy farms.
The machine and equipment shed at Lake Breeze Dairy, W2651 Kiel Road, was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived at about 10 p.m. Sunday, according to the Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Department report.
Of immediate concern for firefighters were two engines that convert methane from a digester into electricity that were stored inside the shed, said Brian Gerrits, co-owner of Lake Breeze Dairy.
"I think we did a good job avoiding a catastrophe," Gerrits said. "The anaerobic digester has a lot of methane gas in it. The gas line is a large pipe about 12 inches in diameter that brings the methane into that building. When I was told the building was engulfed … I told (co-owner Mark Diederichs) to make sure every fire department knows what they are dealing with."
Gerrits said firefighters backed away from the shed after hearing about the digester until the gas was shut off.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Biogas plant to supply energy to UW-Oshkosh
From an article by Rick Barrett of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh will soon use food waste and yard waste to produce electricity and heat for the campus.
An anaerobic bio-digester will convert the waste into biogas, which will fuel an on-campus power generator.
When completed this year, the $3.5 million system is expected to generate 5% to 10% of the university's electricity, according to UW-Oshkosh officials.
It also will produce heat for campus buildings and serve as a renewable energy laboratory.
Through energy savings, university officials say the system could pay for itself in seven to 10 years.
UW-Oshkosh ranks 35th in the nation on the Sierra Club's list of environmentally conscious colleges.
"We are not just talking about it. We are doing some things," Tom Sonnleitner, UW-Oshkosh vice chancellor for administration, said Monday.
An anaerobic digester is a system that converts energy stored in organic materials into methane that's used to power a turbine or engine that produces electricity. Excess heat can be used in buildings, and leftover solids can be used as animal bedding or fertilizer.
Wisconsin is the national leader in creating energy from cow manure-using digesters.
The UW-Oshkosh system will use about 8,000 tons of organic waste per year, including garbage from campus cafeterias. It also could use waste from food-processing plants, yard waste such as grass clippings, animal bedding from dairy farms, and methane gas from a nearby sewage treatment plant.
Much of the material normally would be headed for a landfill, said Carolyn Chappell, an engineer with BIOFerm Energy Systems, a Madison firm that's building the bio-digester.
It is the first commercial-scale system of its kind in the United States, according to BIOFerm, whose parent company is in Germany where there are thousands of bio-digesters.
The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh will soon use food waste and yard waste to produce electricity and heat for the campus.
An anaerobic bio-digester will convert the waste into biogas, which will fuel an on-campus power generator.
When completed this year, the $3.5 million system is expected to generate 5% to 10% of the university's electricity, according to UW-Oshkosh officials.
It also will produce heat for campus buildings and serve as a renewable energy laboratory.
Through energy savings, university officials say the system could pay for itself in seven to 10 years.
UW-Oshkosh ranks 35th in the nation on the Sierra Club's list of environmentally conscious colleges.
"We are not just talking about it. We are doing some things," Tom Sonnleitner, UW-Oshkosh vice chancellor for administration, said Monday.
An anaerobic digester is a system that converts energy stored in organic materials into methane that's used to power a turbine or engine that produces electricity. Excess heat can be used in buildings, and leftover solids can be used as animal bedding or fertilizer.
Wisconsin is the national leader in creating energy from cow manure-using digesters.
The UW-Oshkosh system will use about 8,000 tons of organic waste per year, including garbage from campus cafeterias. It also could use waste from food-processing plants, yard waste such as grass clippings, animal bedding from dairy farms, and methane gas from a nearby sewage treatment plant.
Much of the material normally would be headed for a landfill, said Carolyn Chappell, an engineer with BIOFerm Energy Systems, a Madison firm that's building the bio-digester.
It is the first commercial-scale system of its kind in the United States, according to BIOFerm, whose parent company is in Germany where there are thousands of bio-digesters.
Monday, December 20, 2010
WPS will buy electricity from landfill-gas-to-energy project
From a news release issued by Veolia Energy North America:
HILBERT, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Veolia Energy North America, a leading operator and developer of sustainable energy systems, announced its first landfill gas-to-energy project (LFGTE) in the United States at the Veolia Environmental Services North America Hickory Meadows landfill, located in eastern Wisconsin. The project, slated to commence operation in early summer 2011, will have the initial capacity to generate 42,000 megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity per year, enough to power 2,800 homes.
“We are delighted to begin construction of our first renewable energy facility in North America”
Once complete, the 4.8-megawatt (MW) electrical generation facility will include three landfill reciprocating engine generator sets with a capacity of 1.6 MW each, fueled exclusively by the landfill gas. Landfill gas, which is normally burned off, will be captured and sent via the landfill’s existing gas collection system to the facility, where it will be transformed into electricity.
“We are delighted to begin construction of our first renewable energy facility in North America,” said Stewart A. Wood, President and CEO of Veolia Energy North America. “Veolia Energy is committed to maximizing environmental sustainability through a reduction in the consumption of fossil fuels and the introduction of renewable resources into the energy mix, and I am pleased that this project will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions for the people of Wisconsin.”
Veolia Energy has entered into a power purchase agreement with Wisconsin Public Service (WPS), the primary electricity and gas provider for northeastern Wisconsin residents. Upon completion, WPS will purchase all of the power generated by the plant, along with the Renewable Energy Credits associated with the energy output.
As part of the 2005 Wisconsin Act 141, Wisconsin established a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), requiring utilities to meet a gradually increasing percentage of retail sales with qualified renewable sources with the goal of providing 10% of the state's retail energy needs from renewable resources by 2015. In addition to its environmental benefits, landfill gas qualifies as an eligible resource under Wisconsin’s RPS. The Hickory Meadow landfill gas-to-energy project will help WPS meet its RPS requirements.
HILBERT, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Veolia Energy North America, a leading operator and developer of sustainable energy systems, announced its first landfill gas-to-energy project (LFGTE) in the United States at the Veolia Environmental Services North America Hickory Meadows landfill, located in eastern Wisconsin. The project, slated to commence operation in early summer 2011, will have the initial capacity to generate 42,000 megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity per year, enough to power 2,800 homes.
“We are delighted to begin construction of our first renewable energy facility in North America”
Once complete, the 4.8-megawatt (MW) electrical generation facility will include three landfill reciprocating engine generator sets with a capacity of 1.6 MW each, fueled exclusively by the landfill gas. Landfill gas, which is normally burned off, will be captured and sent via the landfill’s existing gas collection system to the facility, where it will be transformed into electricity.
“We are delighted to begin construction of our first renewable energy facility in North America,” said Stewart A. Wood, President and CEO of Veolia Energy North America. “Veolia Energy is committed to maximizing environmental sustainability through a reduction in the consumption of fossil fuels and the introduction of renewable resources into the energy mix, and I am pleased that this project will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions for the people of Wisconsin.”
Veolia Energy has entered into a power purchase agreement with Wisconsin Public Service (WPS), the primary electricity and gas provider for northeastern Wisconsin residents. Upon completion, WPS will purchase all of the power generated by the plant, along with the Renewable Energy Credits associated with the energy output.
As part of the 2005 Wisconsin Act 141, Wisconsin established a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), requiring utilities to meet a gradually increasing percentage of retail sales with qualified renewable sources with the goal of providing 10% of the state's retail energy needs from renewable resources by 2015. In addition to its environmental benefits, landfill gas qualifies as an eligible resource under Wisconsin’s RPS. The Hickory Meadow landfill gas-to-energy project will help WPS meet its RPS requirements.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Wastewater plant will produce more electricity with upgrade
From an article by Bob Petrie in the Sheboygan Press:
It took a giant crane and a giant tug and about an hour longer than expected, but the job of lifting the huge lid off a huge anaerobic digester at the Sheboygan Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant was finally completed Wednesday morning.
Now comes the next step: clean, sandblast, paint and rehabilitate the 750,000-gallon digester so it can produce more methane gas, which will be used to help generate gas and electricity to provide nearly all the heat and power needed to operate the treatment plant at 3333 Lakeshore Drive.
The $4.5 million project to upgrade the plant also includes installing two, 200-kilowatt Capstone microturbines, which will boost the on-site electrical generation capacity from 225 kilowatts to about 525 kilowatts per hour, enough to take care of between 90 and 100 percent of the electricity needed to run the plant. The two new turbines bring the total number at the plant to 12.
The job of the digester is to take the sludge created at the plant, churn it up to create the methane and send the biogas to run the turbines.
Exhaust from running the turbines will be used to heat water, the buildings and the digesters at the plant.
"I guess from the standpoint of sustainability, it's something about doing the right thing," said Dale Doerr, Sheboygan wastewater superintendent. "This isn't costing us a lot of money, when you look at we had to do some of these things anyhow."
It took a giant crane and a giant tug and about an hour longer than expected, but the job of lifting the huge lid off a huge anaerobic digester at the Sheboygan Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant was finally completed Wednesday morning.
Now comes the next step: clean, sandblast, paint and rehabilitate the 750,000-gallon digester so it can produce more methane gas, which will be used to help generate gas and electricity to provide nearly all the heat and power needed to operate the treatment plant at 3333 Lakeshore Drive.
The $4.5 million project to upgrade the plant also includes installing two, 200-kilowatt Capstone microturbines, which will boost the on-site electrical generation capacity from 225 kilowatts to about 525 kilowatts per hour, enough to take care of between 90 and 100 percent of the electricity needed to run the plant. The two new turbines bring the total number at the plant to 12.
The job of the digester is to take the sludge created at the plant, churn it up to create the methane and send the biogas to run the turbines.
Exhaust from running the turbines will be used to heat water, the buildings and the digesters at the plant.
"I guess from the standpoint of sustainability, it's something about doing the right thing," said Dale Doerr, Sheboygan wastewater superintendent. "This isn't costing us a lot of money, when you look at we had to do some of these things anyhow."
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
WPS offers rate to buy agricultural biogas in pilot
From a news release issued by WPS:
Green Bay, WI – Wisconsin Public Service Corporation (WPS) recently received approval from the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin to begin a pilot program to purchase electricity generated from agricultural biogas. In the pilot program, WPS will accept up to 10,000 kilowatts generated from new anaerobic digester operations (no more than 2,000 kilowatts from a single generator) within its service territory. The rate will encourage the development of this renewable resource which will allow WPS to better understand the costs and benefits associated with this type of power purchase, and at the same time provide environmental benefits.
Farmers interested in the program must sign a contract with WPS prior to January 1, 2013.
"Increasing the number of renewable resources is unquestionably good for the environment," said Dennis Derricks, WPS Director of Electric Regulatory Policy. "This tariff is another way to partner with our agricultural customers to find solutions the benefit both parties." Digesters help the farmers with solutions to dealing with vast amounts of waste, while the utility receives another source of renewable energy.
Derricks said WPS has several current digester operations within its territory and this new rate offers "another pricing option specifically for these types of operations." Derricks said the existing contracts were fitted under tariffs not specifically designed for this application.
Farm digester operations sell power to the utility and then buy back what they need at regular rates for farm use.
The new rate is called PG-BioGas, is offered until December 31, 2012 (or until fully subscribed: 10 MW) and is in effect now. The maximum project cap is 2 MW, with an on-peak rate of approx. $0.106/kWh, an off-peak rate of approx. $0.061/kWh, which yields an effective (24 hour) rate of $0.0807/kWh. All environmental attributes from generation purchased under this rate will be claimed by WPS.
Green Bay, WI – Wisconsin Public Service Corporation (WPS) recently received approval from the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin to begin a pilot program to purchase electricity generated from agricultural biogas. In the pilot program, WPS will accept up to 10,000 kilowatts generated from new anaerobic digester operations (no more than 2,000 kilowatts from a single generator) within its service territory. The rate will encourage the development of this renewable resource which will allow WPS to better understand the costs and benefits associated with this type of power purchase, and at the same time provide environmental benefits.
Farmers interested in the program must sign a contract with WPS prior to January 1, 2013.
"Increasing the number of renewable resources is unquestionably good for the environment," said Dennis Derricks, WPS Director of Electric Regulatory Policy. "This tariff is another way to partner with our agricultural customers to find solutions the benefit both parties." Digesters help the farmers with solutions to dealing with vast amounts of waste, while the utility receives another source of renewable energy.
Derricks said WPS has several current digester operations within its territory and this new rate offers "another pricing option specifically for these types of operations." Derricks said the existing contracts were fitted under tariffs not specifically designed for this application.
Farm digester operations sell power to the utility and then buy back what they need at regular rates for farm use.
The new rate is called PG-BioGas, is offered until December 31, 2012 (or until fully subscribed: 10 MW) and is in effect now. The maximum project cap is 2 MW, with an on-peak rate of approx. $0.106/kWh, an off-peak rate of approx. $0.061/kWh, which yields an effective (24 hour) rate of $0.0807/kWh. All environmental attributes from generation purchased under this rate will be claimed by WPS.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Biodigester near Denmark to turn waste into usable products
From an article by Richard Ryman in the Green Bay Press Gazette:
NEW DENMARK — It looks like a big cement box and in operation resembles a cow's stomach, but a commercial anaerobic biodigester under construction just southeast of Denmark will fill a lot of roles.
NEW Organic Digestion, owned by American Foods Group and the people who own Northern Concrete, is building the facility primarily to dispose of byproducts from American Foods' operations in Green Bay.
The project will cost between $5 million and $6 million, said co-owner Rob Larsen. The biodigester will hold a little more than 2 million gallons working its way through the tank on a 22-day cycle. Larsen said they will be able to add 60 to 100 tons to the process daily. They expect to put it into service in March.
The process will result in several products, including methane gas, electricity, heat and waste solids that can be used for cattle bedding or other purposes.
Larsen said his family, dad John Larsen in particular, have been land-applying paunch manure for American Foods for years.
Paunch manure is partially digested food, usually consumed the same day the cow is slaughtered. The waste includes wash water and unused fats.
NEW DENMARK — It looks like a big cement box and in operation resembles a cow's stomach, but a commercial anaerobic biodigester under construction just southeast of Denmark will fill a lot of roles.
NEW Organic Digestion, owned by American Foods Group and the people who own Northern Concrete, is building the facility primarily to dispose of byproducts from American Foods' operations in Green Bay.
The project will cost between $5 million and $6 million, said co-owner Rob Larsen. The biodigester will hold a little more than 2 million gallons working its way through the tank on a 22-day cycle. Larsen said they will be able to add 60 to 100 tons to the process daily. They expect to put it into service in March.
The process will result in several products, including methane gas, electricity, heat and waste solids that can be used for cattle bedding or other purposes.
Larsen said his family, dad John Larsen in particular, have been land-applying paunch manure for American Foods for years.
Paunch manure is partially digested food, usually consumed the same day the cow is slaughtered. The waste includes wash water and unused fats.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
This manufacturer supports Wisconsin’s Clean Energy Jobs Act
From an article by Neal Verfuerth on BizTimes.com:
The sun is the source of all energy on Earth. Yet, here in Wisconsin, the direct use of the immense energy of the sun is not considered a renewable resource. Most people do not believe this when the concept is first introduced to them because they know - intuitively - there is nothing more renewable than the sun … at least for the next 5 billion years.
But it’s true.
It will take a majority vote of both the Assembly and the Senate at the state Capitol and the signature of Gov. Jim Doyle to make the sun’s direct energy a renewable resource in Wisconsin.
The good news is that a broad list of business, trade and environmental groups, including Orion Energy Systems Inc., are working with the governor and the legislature to make this happen.
“Direct-use” renewables such as solar hot water heating, geo-thermal heating and “light pipe” technology would soon be included in Wisconsin’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) as a result of the passage of either the Clean Energy Jobs Act (LRB-3883/1), or independent legislation authored by Sen. Jeff Plale and Reps. Jim Soletski and Ted Zigmunt (SB273/AB401).
The Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) identifies those technologies defined as “renewables” in our state.
Why is this good for the people of Wisconsin? Well, the new law will create jobs, reduce our dependence on fossil fuels (Wisconsin imports all of its fossil fuel resources from out of state) and dramatically reduce the emission of greenhouse gases and other health threatening pollutants.
The sun is the source of all energy on Earth. Yet, here in Wisconsin, the direct use of the immense energy of the sun is not considered a renewable resource. Most people do not believe this when the concept is first introduced to them because they know - intuitively - there is nothing more renewable than the sun … at least for the next 5 billion years.
But it’s true.
It will take a majority vote of both the Assembly and the Senate at the state Capitol and the signature of Gov. Jim Doyle to make the sun’s direct energy a renewable resource in Wisconsin.
The good news is that a broad list of business, trade and environmental groups, including Orion Energy Systems Inc., are working with the governor and the legislature to make this happen.
“Direct-use” renewables such as solar hot water heating, geo-thermal heating and “light pipe” technology would soon be included in Wisconsin’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) as a result of the passage of either the Clean Energy Jobs Act (LRB-3883/1), or independent legislation authored by Sen. Jeff Plale and Reps. Jim Soletski and Ted Zigmunt (SB273/AB401).
The Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) identifies those technologies defined as “renewables” in our state.
Why is this good for the people of Wisconsin? Well, the new law will create jobs, reduce our dependence on fossil fuels (Wisconsin imports all of its fossil fuel resources from out of state) and dramatically reduce the emission of greenhouse gases and other health threatening pollutants.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Doyle launches Clean Energy Jobs initiative
From a news release issued by Governor Jim Doyle:
MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle today was joined by business leaders, labor, legislators and environmental organizations as he launched the Clean Energy Jobs Act, a landmark legislative package to accelerate the state’s green economy and create jobs. New industry-recognized research shows the package will directly create at least 15,000 green jobs in Wisconsin by 2025.
“Addressing climate change is not just an environmental issue, it’s about creating green jobs,” Governor Doyle said.
“The Clean Energy Jobs Act offers new standards to help accelerate Wisconsin’s green economy. I am calling on the Legislature to update renewable portfolio standards to generate 25 percent of our fuel from renewable sources by 2025 and set a realistic goal of a 2 percent annual reduction in energy consumption by 2015.”
The Clean Energy Jobs Act, State Senate Bill 450 and State Assembly Bill 649, implements the recommendations of Governor Doyle’s Global Warming Task Force to address climate change and grow the state’s green economy through several key measures:
• Enhanced renewable portfolio standards – A new 20 percent standard would be set for 2020 and a 25 percent standard would be set for 2025. The current 10 percent standard would be accelerated from 2015 to 2013. By advancing our current renewable portfolio standards, and setting new standards, we will ensure more of our energy dollars stay in the state, creating thousands of jobs for Wisconsin families in fields like construction, manufacturing, and agriculture.
• Enhanced energy efficiency and conservation efforts – Graduated statewide electricity savings goals would be set, leading up to a 2 percent reduction by 2015 and annual reductions thereafter. The cheapest way to lower carbon emissions is through energy conservation. By setting achievable conservation goals, this bill will help reduce energy costs in businesses and homes across the state.
A comprehensive economic assessment of the Clean Energy Jobs Act found that the package would directly create at least 15,000 green jobs in Wisconsin by 2025. More than 1,800 jobs would be created in the first year alone. The assessment also found that between 800 and 1,800 construction jobs would be created each year from 2011-2025, and more than 2,000 manufacturing jobs would be created once the laws are fully implemented.
Michael Vickerman, RENEW Wisconsin’s executive director said:
Wisconsin's existing 10% Renewable Energy Standard has driven significant investment in rural, forestry and agriculture markets by encouraging the construction of large wind, biogas, biomass and solar projects. Increasing the Renewable Energy Standard to 25% in 2025 would continue to generate more of the lucrative payments to landowners and biofuel / biomass providers as well as create more jobs constructing and maintaining the additional projects are built to meet the new standards.
The bills also include three of the proposals backed by the Homegrown Renewable Energy Campaign:
• Renewable Energy Buyback Rates, also called an Advanced Renewable Tariffs, would set utility payments for small renewable energy producers who want to "feed energy" into the electric grid, enabling farmers and rural businesses to help Wisconsin become more energy independent with biopower, wind and solar.
• The Biomass Crop Reserve Program would award contracts to farmers to plant native perennial plants, which the farmer can then sell for bioenergy production, helping to solve the chicken-and-egg problem of jumpstarting the homegrown fuels market.
• A Low-Carbon Fuel Standard would be a market-based approach to promoting the cleanest, low-carbon fuels for Wisconsin, and would put Wisconsin in a position to capture the rapidly-developing clean energy market by using Wisconsin's abundant natural resources like switchgrass.
Statements of support for the legislation came from Customers First!, WPPI Energy, CREWE, Clean Wisconsin, ACRE, MEUW, Sierra Club, and others.
MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle today was joined by business leaders, labor, legislators and environmental organizations as he launched the Clean Energy Jobs Act, a landmark legislative package to accelerate the state’s green economy and create jobs. New industry-recognized research shows the package will directly create at least 15,000 green jobs in Wisconsin by 2025.
“Addressing climate change is not just an environmental issue, it’s about creating green jobs,” Governor Doyle said.
“The Clean Energy Jobs Act offers new standards to help accelerate Wisconsin’s green economy. I am calling on the Legislature to update renewable portfolio standards to generate 25 percent of our fuel from renewable sources by 2025 and set a realistic goal of a 2 percent annual reduction in energy consumption by 2015.”
The Clean Energy Jobs Act, State Senate Bill 450 and State Assembly Bill 649, implements the recommendations of Governor Doyle’s Global Warming Task Force to address climate change and grow the state’s green economy through several key measures:
• Enhanced renewable portfolio standards – A new 20 percent standard would be set for 2020 and a 25 percent standard would be set for 2025. The current 10 percent standard would be accelerated from 2015 to 2013. By advancing our current renewable portfolio standards, and setting new standards, we will ensure more of our energy dollars stay in the state, creating thousands of jobs for Wisconsin families in fields like construction, manufacturing, and agriculture.
• Enhanced energy efficiency and conservation efforts – Graduated statewide electricity savings goals would be set, leading up to a 2 percent reduction by 2015 and annual reductions thereafter. The cheapest way to lower carbon emissions is through energy conservation. By setting achievable conservation goals, this bill will help reduce energy costs in businesses and homes across the state.
A comprehensive economic assessment of the Clean Energy Jobs Act found that the package would directly create at least 15,000 green jobs in Wisconsin by 2025. More than 1,800 jobs would be created in the first year alone. The assessment also found that between 800 and 1,800 construction jobs would be created each year from 2011-2025, and more than 2,000 manufacturing jobs would be created once the laws are fully implemented.
Michael Vickerman, RENEW Wisconsin’s executive director said:
Wisconsin's existing 10% Renewable Energy Standard has driven significant investment in rural, forestry and agriculture markets by encouraging the construction of large wind, biogas, biomass and solar projects. Increasing the Renewable Energy Standard to 25% in 2025 would continue to generate more of the lucrative payments to landowners and biofuel / biomass providers as well as create more jobs constructing and maintaining the additional projects are built to meet the new standards.
The bills also include three of the proposals backed by the Homegrown Renewable Energy Campaign:
• Renewable Energy Buyback Rates, also called an Advanced Renewable Tariffs, would set utility payments for small renewable energy producers who want to "feed energy" into the electric grid, enabling farmers and rural businesses to help Wisconsin become more energy independent with biopower, wind and solar.
• The Biomass Crop Reserve Program would award contracts to farmers to plant native perennial plants, which the farmer can then sell for bioenergy production, helping to solve the chicken-and-egg problem of jumpstarting the homegrown fuels market.
• A Low-Carbon Fuel Standard would be a market-based approach to promoting the cleanest, low-carbon fuels for Wisconsin, and would put Wisconsin in a position to capture the rapidly-developing clean energy market by using Wisconsin's abundant natural resources like switchgrass.
Statements of support for the legislation came from Customers First!, WPPI Energy, CREWE, Clean Wisconsin, ACRE, MEUW, Sierra Club, and others.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Focus releases updated digester case studies
From the introduction of the updated Wisconsin Agricultural Biogas Casebook:
Wisconsin remains at the forefront of U.S. farm-based digester use. This second edition of the Wisconsin Agricultural Biogas Casebook includes brief case studies of farm-based anaerobic digesters installed in Wisconsin. This report gives a look at the experiences of 21 farms with operating anaerobic digester systems in Wisconsin as of fall 2009. The author extends a special thanks to the digester owners, operators, designers and utility representatives who have graciously shared their experiences, time and information to make this casebook possible. This information is presented to give those interested in digesters some insight into how these systems are working in Wisconsin. The task is made easier by the fact that these systems appear to be generally successful. When relevant, insights, problems, mistakes or other issues encountered by the parties involved are shared in the hope that future efforts can benefit from that history.
The Casebook looks at these digester installations:
Baldwin Dairy – Baldwin
Central Sands Dairy – Nekoosa
Clover Hill Dairy – Campbellsport
Crave Brothers Farm – Waterloo
Deere Ridge Dairy – Nelsonville
Double S Dairy – Markesan
Emerald Dairy – Emerald
Five Star Dairy – Elk Mound
Green Valley Dairy – Green Valley
Holsum Dairy, Elm Road – Hilbert
Holsum Dairy, Irish Road – Hilbert
Lake Breeze Dairy – Malone
Norm-E-Lane – Chili
Norswiss Farms – Rice Lake
Pagel’s Ponderosa Dairy – Kewaunee
Quantum Dairy – Weyauwega
Statz Brothers, Inc. – Sun Prairie
Sunrise Dairy (formerly Suring Community Dairy) – Suring
Vir-Clar Farm – Fond du Lac
Volm Farms – Kewaskum
Wild Rose Dairy – La Farge
Wisconsin remains at the forefront of U.S. farm-based digester use. This second edition of the Wisconsin Agricultural Biogas Casebook includes brief case studies of farm-based anaerobic digesters installed in Wisconsin. This report gives a look at the experiences of 21 farms with operating anaerobic digester systems in Wisconsin as of fall 2009. The author extends a special thanks to the digester owners, operators, designers and utility representatives who have graciously shared their experiences, time and information to make this casebook possible. This information is presented to give those interested in digesters some insight into how these systems are working in Wisconsin. The task is made easier by the fact that these systems appear to be generally successful. When relevant, insights, problems, mistakes or other issues encountered by the parties involved are shared in the hope that future efforts can benefit from that history.
The Casebook looks at these digester installations:
Baldwin Dairy – Baldwin
Central Sands Dairy – Nekoosa
Clover Hill Dairy – Campbellsport
Crave Brothers Farm – Waterloo
Deere Ridge Dairy – Nelsonville
Double S Dairy – Markesan
Emerald Dairy – Emerald
Five Star Dairy – Elk Mound
Green Valley Dairy – Green Valley
Holsum Dairy, Elm Road – Hilbert
Holsum Dairy, Irish Road – Hilbert
Lake Breeze Dairy – Malone
Norm-E-Lane – Chili
Norswiss Farms – Rice Lake
Pagel’s Ponderosa Dairy – Kewaunee
Quantum Dairy – Weyauwega
Statz Brothers, Inc. – Sun Prairie
Sunrise Dairy (formerly Suring Community Dairy) – Suring
Vir-Clar Farm – Fond du Lac
Volm Farms – Kewaskum
Wild Rose Dairy – La Farge
Monday, November 16, 2009
More efficient gas-to-energy operation sought at Ledgeview facility
From an article by Tony Walter in the Green Bay Press Gazette:
LEDGEVIEW — Brown County officials hope additional wells and better equipment will help the new gas-to-energy facility in Ledgeview produce the amount of energy they expected it to create.
"We're only getting about 76 percent of what we designed, so we want to find out if there's a reason for that," said Chuck Larscheid, port and solid waste department director.
The $3.8 million facility, at 3800 Heritage Road, opened at the former landfill in April. It produces electricity from methane, which is then sold to utilities. A recent study by Foth Engineering and Consulting showed that there were no problems with the equipment.
"There really wasn't a smoking gun, so to speak, of what was causing the difference," said Larscheid, who will present Foth's report to the Solid Waste Board today.
LEDGEVIEW — Brown County officials hope additional wells and better equipment will help the new gas-to-energy facility in Ledgeview produce the amount of energy they expected it to create.
"We're only getting about 76 percent of what we designed, so we want to find out if there's a reason for that," said Chuck Larscheid, port and solid waste department director.
The $3.8 million facility, at 3800 Heritage Road, opened at the former landfill in April. It produces electricity from methane, which is then sold to utilities. A recent study by Foth Engineering and Consulting showed that there were no problems with the equipment.
"There really wasn't a smoking gun, so to speak, of what was causing the difference," said Larscheid, who will present Foth's report to the Solid Waste Board today.
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