The Water Environment Federation (WEF) and the American Biogas Council (ABC) have signed a new partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand the conversion of organic waste into renewable energy and valuable soil products at facilities across the United States (US).
The Water Environment Federation (WEF), a not-for-profit technical and educational organization representing water quality professionals around the world and the American Biogas Council (ABC), a national trade association representing the entire biogas industry in the United States (US) are partnering to expand the conversion of organic waste into renewable energy and valuable soil products at facilities across the US.
Currently, there are over 2 200 operating biogas facilities in the US of which 1 300 of them are at water resource recovery facilities, but there are nearly 4 000 water facilities where new biogas systems could be installed. The duo points out that there is a long history of using biogas as a reliable, renewable fuel source for electricity generation, heat, combined heat and power (CHP), and vehicle fuel.
WEF’s recently updated publication “Accelerating Resource Recovery: Biosolids Innovations and Opportunities” provides a thorough review of biogas systems in the water sector whereas ABC has launched the new Digestate Certification Program that creates a standard method for describing the qualities of digestate, a by-product of anaerobic digestion (AD).
The organisations will continue to work together to promote resource recovery, specifically the use of energy and products produced from biogas systems at water facilities. WEF and ABC reaffirmed these goals by signing a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
Energy derived from wastewater and biosolids moves our nation toward a more resilient and sustainable future, and there is tremendous potential for growth in the generation of these renewable resources. WEF is happy to once again formalise our commitment to a broader and deeper working relationship with the American Biogas Council and we look forward to working with ABC in promoting opportunities for the beneficial use of biogas and digested residuals, said WEF Executive Director Eileen O’Neill in a joint-statement.
Specifically, WEF and ABC support:
- The beneficial use of biogas digested materials and biosolids as an economically and environmentally sound energy and waste management solution for communities;
- The use of proven technologies that facilitate energy and nutrient recovery;
- Encouraging federal and state legislation that promotes the use of biogas as a renewable energy source; proactive communications and public outreach to continue to build a strong base of support for products made from digested materials;
- Continued research and sound science in regards to biosolids management; and the development of state and federal regulations.
WEF and ABC believe that wastewater treatment (WWTP) plants are actually water resource recovery facilities that produce clean water and, through the use of biogas systems, yield renewable energy, recover nutrients (such as phosphorus and nitrogen) and produce valuable, nutrient-rich soil amendments that reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers.
Biogas systems process organic materials- such as the solids, fats, oils, and grease removed by wastewater treatment- in controlled, fully-enclosed, natural biological systems that capture methane to create renewable electricity and fuel.
A significant opportunity exists to utilise existing wastewater digester capacity to recycle organic materials, like the billions of pounds of food that Americans waste each year. In the US, we could build more than 13 000 new biogas systems. One-third of them can be built at water resource recovery facilities. These biogas projects will create jobs, investment and choices for generating energy, soil products and waste management. We’re extremely pleased to continue our relationship with the Water Environment Federation under this MoU, said Patrick Serfass, Executive Director of the American Biogas Council.
