Duke backs landfill-to-renewable gas project

Duke Energy has backed two landfill projects, Foothill and Upper Piedmont, that will see waste-derived gases converted into renewable natural gas and sold to third-party customers.

Each project is expected to produce enough renewable gas to satisfy demand for 17,000 residential customers, or 500,000 dekaterms of energy from each landfill.

The RNG is derived from methane contained in landfill gas, which develops as organic refuse breaks down. The waste is processed to remove contaminants so that it meets natural gas pipeline quality standards.

Duke said development at Foothill and Upper Piedmont had now started, and the projects should be up and running by the fourth quarter of this year. 

Phillip Grigsby, Duke Energy's senior vice president of ventures and business development, said "We’re excited for the Foothills and Upper Piedmont projects to join our growing portfolio of renewable natural gas investments. 

“Duke Energy is proud to be an industry leader in the RNG space as we continue our journey toward a cleaner energy future."