Pursuing Bioenergy Projects in a Dynamic Funding Environment

Low carbon, energy recovery projects at wastewater treatment plants are typically discretionary and require a return on investment to execute. As carbon and energy markets evolve, long-term project payback is subject to variability in incentive pricing and can reduce confidence in decision making. Two case studies of recent biogas utilization projects in California are presented to demonstrate a strategy for driving forward the 'right' projects in a dynamic funding and regulatory environment. The first case study describes the City of Roseville's Pleasant Grove Wastewater Treatment Plant, which completed construction of a grant-funded biogas upgrading to renewable natural gas for onsite vehicle fueling, microturbines, and codigestion. The second case study covers the Fairfield-Suisun Sewer District Wastewater Treatment Plant Bioenergy Generation Project, which is installing a new IC engine. Both case studies provide perspective on how to align bioenergy projects with grants and incentives to maximize return on decarbonization investments and increase confidence in decision making.