A Regional Approach to Sustainable Energy
Biosolids are the nutrient rich natural by-product of wastewater treatment. They are produced by removing the organics from municipal sewage - the majority of which comes from residential homes.
Over 158,000 metric tons of “dry solids” are produced annually in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Biosolids to Energy Coalition is committed to creating energy from biosolids using state-of-the art technology to generate clean and renewable energy resources of value to society and the environment.
Biosolids contain latent energy that can be harnessed via capture and combustion of methane gas or via direct combustion. The conversion process involves heating the material to break down the solids and create gases that are converted to energy. Converting biosolids to energy relies on technologies including pyrolysis, gasification, thermo oxidation, fluidized bed reactor and arc plasma.
Local wastewater agencies can help achieve state and federal goals of meeting electricity and low carbon fuel needs with renewable sources. The Bay Area Biosolids to Energy Project is working to capture the energy within biosolids on a larger scale and in a more effective and efficient method. Read more...
Mr. Paul Kelley has been appointed to the newly created position of BAB2E Executive Director. Previously a Director of Sonoma County Water agency and member of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors,
Mr. Kelley comes to the Coalition with significant expertise leading renewable energy efforts including solar, landfill gas to energy, and “Carbon Free Water by 2015” initiatives. The role of the Executive Director is intended to help progress the Coalitions’ goal of implementing a biosolids processing facility(ies) that maximizes energy production while significantly reducing the carbon footprint of current biosolids management practices.
BAB2E is developing biosolids to energy approaches which diversify biosolids management options to include alternatives which will benefit San Francisco Bay Area communities, the environment and our economy. Read more in the November 2013 “BAB2E Update” newsletter.
BAB2E secured close to $1 Million through the California Energy Commission’s PIER program and is seeking funding through the Department of Energy (DOE). Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF) is under contract to provide independent peer review through a panel of independent industry researchers and specialists.
Advocacy for state and federal funding, policy and regulations to incentivize and accelerate B2E technology innovation and deployment continued in 2013: