Lincoln Transportation and Utility Department in Nebraska transforms biogas into vehicle fuel
The Lincoln Transportation and Utilities Department (LTU) in Nebraska announced the completion of a unique project last week to use the natural gas from a city wastewater facility and turn it into vehicle fuel.
Digestion of solids in that wastewater produces the greenhouse gas methane. Traditionally, this gets flared, but the Theresa Street Water Resource Recovery Facility first began using that biogas to generate electricity for the plant in 1991. However, the generators eventually retired, and in 2017, the Lincoln Wastewater System decided to upgrade the technology to process, treat, clean and transform the gas into vehicle fuel instead.
“This sustainability initiative is a major accomplishment for the City as our team continues to upgrade our infrastructure in ways that also protect our environment and quality of life,” Lincoln Mayor Gaylor Baird said. “With this project completed, we are now actively creating vehicle fuel that is currently being sold on the national market. This upgrade is estimated to generate $2.6 million every year, recouping our costs in just 3.3 years. The revenue will help to fund operations and further system improvements.”
The city also acquired partners to aid the project, including HDR Engineering, Building Crafts Incorporated, and Black Hills Energy. They built the infrastructure connecting this natural gas to the national natural gas pipeline system. To get the gas into the marketplace, the city also partnered with energy management company Bluesource.
“Last year, Black Hills Energy announced its commitment to creating a cleaner energy future, building on our commitment to safe, reliable, and affordable energy, and our history of advancing sustainability in Lincoln,” Kevin Jarosz, Black Hills vice president of Nebraska Operations, said. “This is our third renewable natural gas project in Nebraska, and the volume produced in Lincoln is enough to transport football fans on 718,857 one-way trips from SouthPointe Pavilions to Memorial Stadium each year.”
The Theresa Street facility was previously lauded by the Nebraska Water Environmental Association for its efforts.
