In the United States (US), bp Products North America Inc., a subsidiary of global oil and gas major bp plc, and Aria Energy Corporation (Aria Energy) have announced a project to capture methane from waste at three California dairy farms and process it into renewable natural gas (RNG), which will then be supplied as fuel for the US transportation sector.
Agriculture accounts for nearly ten percent of US greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Capturing methane from farm waste can lower these emissions.
At the same time, renewable natural gas (RNG) fueled vehicles are estimated to result in up to 95 percent lower emissions than those fueled by gasoline or diesel on a lifecycle basis, according to a US Department of Energy (DOE) study.
Draws on the combined expertise
The project, called RNG Moovers, combines the expertise of three companies. Aria Energy is providing expertise in capturing biogas released from organic waste and refining it to remove contaminants and increasing its heat content, resulting in RNG.
Our company is committed to converting low carbon fuel sources into clean, useful energy for vehicles, homes, and businesses. These projects would not be possible without the collaborative efforts of partners like bp, said Richard DiGia, President and CEO of Aria Energy.
Californian turnkey dairy biogas technology provider Aligned Digesters Co., LLC are contributing proven experience constructing and operating digesters along with decades-long relationships with nationwide dairy owners. The company currently owns and operates two digesters including the largest of its kind in the state.
It is an exciting time to have companies like bp and Aria committing to capturing emissions from dairy farms. It is strategic partners like these that will ensure each project’s long-term success. We look forward to working with dairy farmers and continuing to develop projects through RNG Moovers, said Brent Verwey, President, Aligned Digesters.
bp will deliver the RNG to the transportation sector through a 20-year offtake agreement executed by its low carbon trading business.
This is a great opportunity to expand our RNG business and help meet the growing demand for natural gas vehicle fuel. RNG can play an important role in decarbonizing the transportation sector and helping bp and the world get to net-zero emissions, said Sean Reavis, SVP, bp Low Carbon and Trading.
Three dairy farms
Anaerobic digesters will be installed at three dairy farms in California’s Central Valley, producing biogas from farm waste rather than allowing it to decompose and release methane into the atmosphere.
Kevin Soares, owner, Soares Dairy Farms, located in California’s Central Valley is one of the project’s three dairy farms.
We really wanted to find a solution to help contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gases on our dairy farm, but our ownership group was skeptical about the long-term prognosis of the project. When these unique partners met with us, we were confident the right parties were involved, said Kevin Soares.
