RENERGY Marengo, Ohio Let's Meet- Alex Ringler, CEO Anaerobic Digester Type: Complete Mix Operating Since: Spring 2013 Why did Renergy build a digester? Renergy is committed to environmental stewardship and reducing carbon emissions through the use of biosolids to create renewable energy. We wanted to implement modern technology on agricultural platforms, reduce odors, conserve energy, and minimize dependency on traditional fuel sources such as coal and petroleum. Is the digester meeting your needs? Yes. Our facilities incorporate all of the hog manure produced at co-located farms on a yearly basis. The digester supplies the farm with 100% renewable energy in the form of electricity, radiant heat and hot water as well as crop nutrition. The operations also create sustainable employment in the community. What are your biggest challenges? The biggest challenge is the biological process - maintaining the balance of organic materials so the pH is at the right level and the proper energy is produced. There is a learning curve to maximize efficiency. Another challenge is to create awareness of bioenergy and how anaerobic digestion helps the environment. What are the biggest benefits? We are reducing our overall carbon footprint by taking a liability and turning it into a renewable product. The system provides us with combined heat and electricity, crop nutrition and reclaimed water. There is too much waste created in our communities. If Renergy can take a portion of that waste and repurpose it into something beneficial...we are doing our part. Do you have any advice for others? • Call us! You need to really understand the process. It can take years. Our experience took two years from concept to steady operation. • It is helpful to raise the level of awareness about anaerobic digestion with local officials and utilities. This helped facilitate our permitting process. • Find a good technology provider who is willing to partner with you and evaluate the differences between European and domestic designs. ------- |