Hamilton RNG, UGI to develop food waste digester projects

Hamilton RNG and UGI Energy Services (UGI) will develop food waste digester projects to produce RNG in Ohio and Kentucky.

Hamilton RNG’s first project, Synthica St Bernard, is being developed in St Bernard, Ohio, around five miles north of Cincinnati. The digester is expected to be completed in the first half of 2023 and will process around 190,000 tons of food waste annually from nearby food manufacturers using anaerobic digestion (AD).

The project is expected to generate approximately 250,000 MMBtus of pipeline-quality RNG each year, to be injected into a local natural gas pipeline on the regional distribution system.

Hamilton RNG is also developing other digester projects in Ohio and Kentucky. GHI Energy, a wholly-owned subsidiary of UGI, will be the exclusive off-taker and marketer of RNG for Hamilton RNG.

“For nearly 140 years, UGI has focused on providing safe, reliable energy delivery service to its customers and to the many communities it serves,” said Robert Beard, UGI’s executive vice-president of natural gas.

“We are excited to announce this new partnership to develop pipeline-quality RNG in Ohio and Kentucky. Along with our Cayuga RNG partnership in upstate New York announced earlier this year, these projects reinforce our commitment to the development of RNG and sustainable energy, helping communities dramatically reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.”

Sam Schutte, Synthica CEO, said the benefits of organic food waste digestion are clear – environmental protection, local investment, and job creation.

“We are on the front end of a movement that is fusing technology with environmental consciousness and creating a mutually beneficial opportunity for businesses to create more eco-friendly footprints,” said Schutte.

“Despite being home to hundreds of manufacturers, there are currently no AD plants within 60 miles of Cincinnati. That means operating a food manufacturing plant in our region is more expensive than in places like Cleveland or Columbus, because of the increased cost of hauling away by-products. That puts Cincinnati at a significant disadvantage when trying to attract and retain manufacturing businesses.

“Hamilton RNG’s St Bernard plant will add a new chapter to the area’s storied manufacturing history, with a focus on environmental stewardship and building a greener future.”