In the United States (US), California Bioenergy LLC (CalBio) announced that it recently completed its acquisition of Sevana Bioenergy's interest in South Dakota Biogas LLC, a joint venture previously held by the two companies. South Dakota Biogas LLC and UGI Energy Services (UGIES) have ownership interests in MBL Bioenergy LLC, a joint venture formed to develop and operate eight dairy renewable natural gas (RNG) projects in South Dakota, with the potential for additional development in the state.
Furthermore, CalBio has acquired sole ownership of SD OpCo LLC, the entity that operates the digester projects.
This acquisition strengthens CalBio’s project portfolio and underscores its continued commitment to partnering with dairy farmers to advance effective methane capture.
The South Dakota projects comprise three clusters:
- Moody Cluster: Three dairies located near Dell Rapids, each sending conditioned biogas via a gathering pipeline to a centralized upgrader and Northern Natural Gas interconnect.
- Brookings Cluster: Three dairies located near Estelline, each sending conditioned biogas via a gathering pipeline to a centralized upgrader and NorthWestern Energy interconnect.
- Lakeside Cluster: Two dairies located near Summit that transport conditioned and upgraded biogas via high-compression tube trailers (virtual pipeline) to a NorthWestern Energy interconnect.
At each site, dairy waste is collected and processed in a continuously stirred tank reactor (CSTR) digester, and the biogas is then conditioned and upgraded into pipeline-quality renewable natural gas (RNG).
Expand capacity and position in dairy RNG
Combined, the three clusters produce approximately 2,000,000 standard cubic feet per day (scfd) of renewable compressed natural gas (R-CNG) – approximately 15,000 gasoline (US) gallon equivalents (GGEs) of vehicle-ready fuel, or circa 5,500,000 GGEs annually.
With this acquisition, CalBio further solidifies its position as a leader in dairy RNG, extending its operational footprint into the Upper Midwest while reinforcing long-standing partnerships with UGIES and the South Dakota dairy community.
CalBio is pleased to announce the growth of our participation in the South Dakota dairy digester projects. We look forward to expanding our role in these projects, continuing our partnership with UGI Energy Services, and supporting the local dairy farmers who make this domestic renewable energy production possible, said N. Ross Buckenham, Chairman and CEO of CalBio.
