In the United States US), biogas-to-power project developer Ag-Grid Energy LLC has announced the start-up of its anaerobic digester at Lent Hill Dairy Farm in Cohocton, New York (NY).
A partnership between Ag-Grid and Lent Hill, the digester is Ag-Grid Energy’s fifth operating waste-to-energy facility and its first in New York State.
The 1 MW facility is co-digesting cow manure from Lent Hill Dairy and food waste collected from the surrounding area.
The biogas, which is converted into electricity will be used by the Chobani Yogurt Company and Winsor Acres, a dairy farm, who have partnered to off-take the renewable energy via the NYSEG grid.
Ag-Grid is grateful to its key partners and local champions for making this project a reality, said Abu Akki, Director of Business Development for Ag-Grid Energy.
Renewable energy pioneer
Projects like Lent Hill Ag-Grid provide multiple benefits to the farming operation, including reducing odors and use of chemical fertilizers while enhancing water quality and creating renewable energy.
Lent Hill Dairy will also benefit from the return of pathogen-free solid fiber bedding for their dairy cows.
Started in 1955, the dairy farm now has 4,500 animals and farms 5,000 acres. Owner Paul Wolcott has been a pioneer and oversaw the construction of the farm’s first rotary milking parlor in 1964 and 2009 was an early stakeholder in a 125 MW wind farm.
Lent Hill Dairy and Ag-Grid share the same goal: to improve agriculture’s economic and environmental sustainability. Ag-Grid Energy has the knowledge and the experience to make this project successful. Lent Hill Dairy is proud to achieve a negative carbon footprint, said Paul Wolcott.
Diverting food waste from landfills
The Lent Hill Ag-Grid facility will divert up to 35,000 gallons of food waste per day from landfills, thereby reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and creating clean energy.
Food waste is being obtained from a variety of food manufacturers, creameries, supermarkets, and restaurants within a 50-mile radius of the facility.
The Belgioioso Cheese plant in Campbell, NY, was an early supporter of the project.
Ag-Grid has been a reliable partner since day one. Their relentless commitment and vision to the Lent Hill Ag-Grid project have allowed us to recycle our food waste into clean renewable energy. We are very proud to be one of the initial companies to sign onto this project, said Dean Strobel, Plant Manager at Belgioioso Cheese.
UGI Energy Services a part-owner
Ag-Grid prioritizes using local contractors such as Dickson Environmental and Bouille Electric, and its partnership with Martin Construction Resource (MCR), which has been Ag-Grid Energy’s EPC partner for over 7 years.
This project exemplifies our commitment to advancing clean energy innovation, addressing environmental challenges, and contributing to the global shift toward renewable resources, said Brett Green, Senior Project Director at MCR.
UGI Energy Services (UGIES), a subsidiary of UGI Corporation, is a part-owner of all Ag-Grid Energy’s projects, including Lent Hill Ag-Grid.
UGIES is pleased to partner with Ag-Grid on the Lent Hill digester project. This digester is one of the ways UGI is expanding our renewable solutions portfolio. We are proud to help our partners provide renewable fuels to customers and simultaneously reduce greenhouse gas emissions, said Joseph Hartz, President of UGIES.