Methane – Powering a New

Energy Future

Chris Voell

EPA Climate Change Division

Washington, DC

Methane

• A potent greenhouse gas (GWP = 23)

• 2nd most important GHG after CO2

• Short atmospheric lifetime (~12 years)

• Many opportunities to reduce emissions

• AgSTAR

– Since 1994, the number of operational biogas

recovery systems has doubled

– Over 120 projects are generating about 250 million

kWh of energy per year.

• Landfill Methane Outreach Program

– Over 460 U.S. landfill projects – tripled since 1994

– Strong corporate interest in landfill gas

• Natural Gas STAR

– Operations in all major industry sectors, ~ 57% of the U.S.

industry

– Natural Gas STAR International launch in September 2006

• Coalbed Methane Outreach Program

– 90% of mine degasification CH4 is used (up from 25% in 1993)

– industry effort to demonstrate use for ventilation air methane

Methane Partnership Programs

Manure Digester with Biogas Use

Manure Digesters

Landfill Gas

AD Biogas Potential

Biogas Use

• Digester Biogas – usually 60-80%

methane, heating value of 600-800 Btu/ft3

• Most equipment that uses natural gas,

propane, butane can be fueled by biogas

• Opportunities for equipment fueled on coal

and fuel oil as well.

Biogas Use

•Electricity–Internal combustion engines, turbines,

microturbines

•Co-generation (combined heat and power)–Could provide heat, hot water or steam

•As a fuel for Boilers, Heaters, and Kilns

•As a fuel providing heat for

Chilling/Refrigeration

•Vehicle Fuel

Biogas has been used to

help produce…• Aluminum

• Alternative fuels (biodiesel, CNG, ethanol, and LNG)

• Aquaculture (e.g., tilapia)

• Arts & crafts (blacksmithing, ceramics, glass)

• Biosolids (drying)

• Bricks and concrete

• Carpet

• Cars and trucks

• Chemicals

• Chocolate

• Consumer goods and containers

• Denim

• Electronics

• Fiberglass, nylon, and paper

• Garden plants

• Green power

• Ice cream, milk, and tea

• Infrared heat

• Juice (apple, cranberry, orange)

• Pharmaceuticals

• Pierogies and snack food

• Soy-based products

• Steel

• Tomatoes (hydroponic)

• Taxpayer savings and increased sustainability!

Landfill Gas Project Examples

http://www2.dupont.com/DuPont_Home/en_US/

Jenkins Brick – Moody, AL

Skating Rink – Saratoga, NY

Nucor Steel – Decatur, AL

Honeywell – Hopewell, VA

Turkey Hill – Lancaster, PA

Antioch High School, IL

BMW – Spartanburg, SC

Jersey Shore Steel, PA

“… annual

natural-gas

costs have

increased from

roughly $1

million in 1993

to $3.2 million

in in 2005.

„This initiative

could get us

back down into

the $1(million)

to $1.5 million

range.‟”

Johnstown Wire

Technology

“Johnstown‟s

selling points to

business have

included cheaper

labor, outdoor

recreation, and

low crime. Now,

another

distinction will

be added to that

list: Discount

natural gas.”

“We think this is a

tremendous

opportunity that will

not only allow us to

save jobs, but create

new ones. When you

look at our balance

sheet, after labor,

gas is our second-

greatest expense. ”

Gautier Steel

Vehicle Fuel (NJ, TX and CA)

Infrared Heaters - VA

Local Energy Parks – NC

Manure Digester Project Examples

Scenic View Dairy - MI

Hillarides Dairy, CA

Huckaby Ridge, Stephenville, TX

Freund Farms - CT

Barham Farms - NC

Value Added Benefits of AD Systems

AgSTAR and LMOP

• Resource ID and assessment

• Feasibility studies

• Technical assistance

• Workshops/conferences

• Letters of support

• NEW “Local Clean Energy Strategies

Guide” – Landfill Methane Utilization

More info…

• AgSTAR (manure digesters)

–www.epa.gov/agstar

–Chris Voell

• 202-343-9406

• Voell.christopher@epa.gov

• LMOP (landfill gas)

–www.epa.gov/lmop