The United States Environmental Protection Agency has released a new Waste To Biogas Mapping Tool designed to connect interested parties in waste-to-biogas energy projects.
Created to encourage the generation of renewable energy via anaerobic digestion, the map connects organic waste producers (i.e. food processing facilities) and those seeking such waste (i.e. wastewater treatment facilities). It’s the first mapping tool available online supporting biogas production via co-digestion.
Co-digestion technology allows fats, oils, and grease (FOG), along with food waste, to be added to a typical anaerobic digestion system, thereby further diverting waste from the environment and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. FOG and food waste produce three times the amount of methane as plain old manure does in an anaerobic plant, making it a viable source of additional renewable energy in the form of biogas.
The mapping tool was developed for the Pacific Southwest of the United States, encompassing Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, and the Pacific Islands. Users will be able to search by address for either facilities generating waste or for utilities looking to accept waste for digestion. Once search results have been located, a pop-up box will show details and contact information for each facility listed on the map. It could prove invaluable for connecting waste producers to energy producers, helping to clean up the environment while generating cleaner, renewable energy.
[via EcoSeed]