Ocala Equine Energy

FTBOA Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’Association in partnership with MaxWest Environmental Systems

From Waste With more than 35,000 Thoroughbred horses, 400 farms and training centers covering more than 70,000 acres in Marion County, the disposal of stall waste has always been a concern. The majority of stall waste can be land applied and composted. However, some breeding and training farms don’t have the necessary acreage to land apply their stall waste. Animal waste requires a nutrient management program that prevents pollutants that can contaminate surface and ground water supplies when disposed of improperly.

Currently, individual farms are responsible for stall waste disposal.

The Challenge ■ Economic—Rising costs of waste disposal for a crucial industry ■ Environmental—Groundwater nutrient loading (pollution) ■ Regulatory—local, state and federal

The Solution ■ Conversion

of waste to renewable electric power

MaxWest and the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association have partnered to convert horse waste into renewable energy. The partnership will reduce horse waste while generating “green” energy for the Ocala/Marion County community.

The system is being called “Ocala Equine Energy” or OEE.

Who are the partners?

■ Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association ■ MaxWest Environmental Systems, Inc. ■ Marion County ■ City of Ocala ■ State of Florida ■ Florida Department of Agriculture and Community Affairs ■ Florida Energy and Climate Commission ■ Florida Department of Environmental Protection

to Resource ■ The project involves engineering, design, funding, construction, management and operation of a waste-to-energy system that has the ability to not only address the immediate needs of the equestrian community, but the ability and design capacity to expand for its future growth as well as the local communities needs to manage organic waste while producing a sustainable, renewable, clean-green energy for many years to come.

Why It’s Important Known as the Horse Capital of the World®, Ocala/Marion County is home to 431 Thoroughbred breeding farms and training centers, covering more than 70,000 acres of Florida’s prime, mineral-rich pastures.

■ Thoroughbreds in Ocala/Marion County: 35,300

■ Thoroughbred breeding farms/ training centers: 431

■ Acres involved in Thoroughbred industry: 70,000 +

CINDY MIKELL PHOTO

Total economic impact of Thoroughbred industry on Ocala/Marion County: $1.3 billion Total investment in farms, training centers, improvements, equipment and stock: $3.5 billion MaxWest’s gasification technology will provide FTBOA members with a convenient, environmentally friendly method of horse manure disposal. Plans call for horse waste to be trucked from farms, training centers, sales companies and other equine facilities across Marion County to a site owned and managed by the partnership. The manure will be mixed with wood waste and then gasified in MaxWest’s integrated gasification system to produce renewable thermal energy, which will then be used to produce “green” electric power for sale to the power grid.

W What is Gasification?

Gasification is a Process that converts energy contained in organic matter (biomass) into various gases in an oxygen-starved, high-temperature, controlled environment (gasification is not incineration)

MaxWest’s Gasification Solutions ■ Integrated, waste disposal system ■ Converts various organic wastes into renewable “green” energy ■ Wastewater treatment biosolids ■ Wood and yard wastes ■ Agriculture MaxWest’s facility is expected to convert upwards of 100,000 ■ Animal wastes tons of stall and wood waste per year. The process should ■ Crop residue produce approximately 7.2 megawatts of exportable energy daily, enough to power over 1,400 homes.

■ Industrial wastes

A MaxWest Gasification System in Wardensville, WV.

Environmental Benefits

Economic Benefits

■ Converts waste to renewable energy

■ Supports a $3.5 billion industry

■ Reduces greenhouse gas emissions

■ Creates jobs in Marion County

■ Reduces reliance on land application and landfills

■ Puts money back into local economy

■ Minimizes groundwater pollution

■ Preserve open spaces

Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture was one of the first to endorse the project. According to Commissioner Bronson, “The Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association is to be commended for its leadership in solving problems while also generating renewable power. As you know, it is this type of project that I support as part of my Farm to Fuel Initiative. In fact, my staff had the opportunity to meet with representatives of MaxWest and was impressed with their waste-to-energy system.”

Ocala Equine Energy, LLC Ocala Equine Energy LLC has selected a site in Ocala to base its operations. The location, convenient to many of the area horse farms, will have a positive economic impact for the city and county. With more than 35,000 Thoroughbreds and more than 400 horse farms and training centers, the Ocala/Marion County area stands to benefit greatly from this partnership converting animal waste to renewable electric power.

MaxWest Since its inception in 2007, MaxWest has led the way in utilizing waste to energy technology. In May, MaxWest and the City of Sanford hosted a joint dedication ceremony to showcase the MaxWest system and officially dedicate Sanford’s new, advanced wastewater treatment plant.

$2.5 million grant goes to Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association

CPH Engineers, Inc. CPH Engineers, Inc. (CPH), is a multi-disciplinary engineering firm that provides engineering, architecture, planning, surveying, landscape architecture and environmental services. CPH is a privately owned Florida Corporation, that has been serving clients since the 1960s. CPH has LEED Approved Professionals that include architects, environmental scientists, and civil engineers.

CPH is a leader in sustainable design, and has provided services for projects including: the Ocala Equine Energy Waste to Energy, the City of Sanford Biosolids Gasification, and numerous reclaimed water reuse projects. CPH recently completed the start-up for the City of Sanford Waste to Energy System. The project, the first of its kind, utilizes biosolids (sludge) from the city’s wastewater treatment plant and provides the city renewable thermal energy that is then used to “power” a portion of the treatment plant operation.

This solution provides the city with a substantial cost savings, approximately $13 million, and reduces the city’s carbon footprint.

CPH is committed to meeting the needs of our clients and provides the most cost effective and innovative solutions that directly benefit our clients and the environment.

CINDY MIKELL PHOTO

Frequently Asked Questions

Ocala Equine Energy, LLC FTBOA

Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association 801 SW 60th Ave. • Ocala, FL 34474 352-629-2160 • Fax: 352-629-3603 www.ftboa.com • info@ftboa.com

Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association in partnership with MaxWest Environmental Systems Finding Solutions to Horse Waste

by Generating Green Energy for Ocala & Marion County

For More information: Mr. Richard Hancock Executive Vice President Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ & Owners Association rhancock@ftboa.com 352.629.2160

Mr. William Baker Vice President-Marketing MaxWest Environmental Systems wbaker@maxwestenergy.com 352.625.1947

Mr. David Moore Marketing Director-Special Projects MaxWest Environmental Systems dmoore@maxwestenergy.com 806.236.3747