Massachusetts first biogas plant opens

In Rutland, Massachusetts, US, the state's first biogas-fired power plant is due to come online.

Located at the Jordan Dairy Farm, the plant, which will officially open on 31 May 2011, will convert manure and leftover food into energy.

The plant broke ground in October 2010 and when operations commence it will generate 2,280MW/h of heat and electricity. The power will then be utilised at the farm, with any excess being sold to the grid.

AGreen Energy is behind the plant and already has plans to build a total of five dairy farm-based anaerobic digesters across Rutland. Energy group Casella Waste Systems will design, construct and monitor the projects, as well as operate the digesters.

Each plant will cost around $3 million (€2.08 million) to build.