In the United States (US), manure-to-biomethane technology developer Swinergy Inc., has celebrated the completion and commencement of operations at its first commercial project during a ribbon-cutting ceremony held at HollandAg near Ellendale, Minnesota.
The project represents the first commercial application in the Upper Midwest of Swinergy’s patented technology to enable renewable natural gas (RNG) production from swine pit-barn operations.
The new facility is located at Matt and Erin Holland’s farm and represents the first commercial deployment of Swinergy’s patented anaerobic digestion (AD) technology.
The system is designed to improve the conversion of livestock manure and other organic materials into biogas that can be upgraded and used as renewable natural gas (RNG), while also supporting improved manure management and environmental performance.
This ribbon cutting marks a critical milestone for Swinergy. We’re showing the world that there is a better way to handle our organic waste and create resiliency in our rural communities. We are grateful to the Holland family and to the many partners, contractors, investors, and supporters who helped bring this first project to completion. This facility demonstrates how our technology can make RNG production possible at a scale and with feedstocks that have, until now, had no solution, said Eugene Alvey, Founder and CEO of Swinergy.
Proprietary RAMSTH
During the ceremony, guests were introduced to Swinergy, the project team, and the company’s proprietary Rapid Anaerobic Modular System (RAMSTH).
Following the ceremonial ribbon-cutting, attendees toured the installation and learned how the system separates and manages the biological stages of anaerobic digestion to improve process control, accelerate production, and increase methane recovery.
Swinergy’s modular approach is intended to overcome technical and operational barriers that have historically limited the development of AD and RNG projects at Upper Midwest swine pit-barn farms.
By adapting the digestion process to manure collection systems commonly used in the region, Swinergy’s technology opens a new pathway for pork producers to recover methane, produce renewable energy, and create additional environmental and economic value from manure.
The biogas produced by the system is upgraded to pipeline-quality RNG for use as a lower-carbon substitute for conventional natural gas.
Depending on the project configuration and market, RNG can be used for transportation fuel, industrial energy, agricultural processing, or other applications that benefit from lower-carbon energy.
Increase process control and energy recovery
Swinergy’s technology is designed to increase process control, improve energy recovery, and create a platform that can be replicated across agricultural and industrial applications.
The company is initially focused on livestock manure, with potential applications involving food-processing byproducts, ethanol-industry residuals, and other organic waste streams.
The HollandAg project will provide Swinergy with operating data and commercial experience that can be applied to future farm installations and larger regional projects throughout the Upper Midwest and beyond.
This first commercial facility is more than the completion of one project. It is an important step toward building a scalable renewable natural gas platform that can help farmers generate clean energy, improve manure management, reduce methane emissions, and participate in markets that reward lower carbon intensity, Eugene Alvey said.
