RENE WABL E S | Sponsored editorial
LOST TREASURE:
reclaiming the wonder wastes driving the energy transition Australian utilities are sitting on a bounty of untapped biogas that has the potential to transform the energy landscape, supercharge a site’s energy efficiency and drastically improve their bottom line. Here we discuss how this untapped resource can drive the energy transition.
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aste to energy technologies that harness the power of biogas are mature and transformative solutions that achieve the dual benefit of waste management and contribute to decarbonisation. But Australia’s 250 or so working biogas plants is a number that is remarkably shy of the more than 20,000 biogas plants operating in Europe, where biogas is routinely captured from landfill sites, wastewater treatment plants or processing plants and turned into heat and power. Eneraque Renewables has been providing waste to energy technologies for utilities for more than 40 years. The company’s CMO, Heather Millar, said that Australia is poised to fully embrace the biogas opportunity. "Technological advancements and financial incentives are key drivers for the successful implementation of these technologies. “Landfills and wastewater treatment plants are ideal candidates for biogas technologies, as they co-locate a high quality feedstock source and consume significant amounts of energy, a combination that makes these projects financially viable, simple to build, and operationally sustainable,” Ms Millar said. Eneraque Renewables has worked with landfill and wastewater clients across Australia and New Zealand since the early 80’s. Over that time, the technology has continued to improve and scale, with solutions no longer stopping at simply flaring off the biogas.
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“We specialise in full EPCM of biogas plants and equipment in Australasia, including waste to energy technology, CHP, anaerobic digestion, biogas storage, flaring and scrubbing, and biomethane to grid injection,” Ms Millar said. As an example of where technology is heading, landfill gas collection systems now include an intricate network of wells and pipes strategically placed throughout the landfill to capture methane as it is released. Advanced systems incorporate automated controls and monitoring to optimise gas collection efficiency. Plants also often employ conditioning and pre-treatment systems to remove impurities from the collected gas. This includes removing moisture, hydrogen sulphide, and other contaminants that can harm equipment and reduce the quality of the gas.
ENERAQUE RENEWABLES CMO, HEATHER MILLAR
These specific technologies can be used in isolation or Eneraque Renewables can take it a step further and build an entire plant from idea to completion from its Brisbane Manufacturing Hub. “Ongoing maintenance of the plant is usually a consideration for our clients,’ Ms Millar said. “So if they don’t have the expertise or simply don’t want to house in-house maintenance, we offer a full ongoing maintenance program and dedicated biogas technician, if required.” Remote monitoring and control systems that allow operators to manage gas collection and power generation remotely now form part of each plant design. These systems enhance efficiency and enable rapid response to changing conditions. “We’re on the journey to net zero, and we believe that renewable gases are a critical part of the journey. Utilities can become energy-neutral or even energy-positive through innovative biogas technologies,” Ms Millar said. "Landfills and wastewater treatment plants are teeming with energy potential. It’s a treasure trove waiting to be tapped."
For more information, visit www.eneraquerenewables.com
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