Waga Energy inaugurates RNG unit at Steuben County Landfill
Renewable natural gas (RNG) producer Waga Energy has inaugurated its Wagabox RNG production unit at the Steuben County Landfill in Bath, New York, the company said on May 21.
The inauguration event on May 16 featured Kelly Fitzpatrick, Chairwoman of Steuben County, Guenael Prince, CEO of Waga Energy, and Mike German, CEO of Corning Natural Gas.
The newly inaugurated Wagabox unit is set to deliver up to 207,000 mmBtu (60 GWh)/year of RNG into the Corning Natural Gas network. Corning Natural Gas, the local utility, constructed the gas interconnect for this project and will integrate the produced gas into its existing distribution system.
Steuben County is the first municipality in the US to utilise Waga Energy's Wagabox technology, which upgrades landfill gas into RNG, Waga Energy said. Under a 20-year agreement, Waga Energy will operate and maintain the unit, generating revenue through RNG sales to a private offtaker. The revenue will be shared with Steuben County, ensuring mutual economic benefits.
The Steuben County Landfill, authorised to dispose of 280,000 tonnes/year of waste, initially solicited proposals for a landfill gas utilisation project in July 2020. Waga Energy's proposal, leveraging its patented Wagabox technology, was selected to upgrade landfill gas into RNG.
Waga Energy currently operates 23 Wagabox units worldwide, including three in North America, with 13 more under construction, six of which are in the US. In January, Waga Energy announced a deal with Decatur Hills Landfill to establish an RNG production facility at the Greensburg landfill in Indiana.
Last week, the company was selected by Rockingham County to establish an RNG production facility at the Rockingham County Landfill in Madison, North Carolina. The Rockingham County project involves a 20-year agreement similar to the Steuben County project, with the unit expected to be operational by 2026, producing approximately 207,000 mmBtu/year of RNG.
RNG, also known as biomethane, is a sustainable and environmentally friendly gas derived from organic materials. It is produced through the natural breakdown of organic matter in landfills, wastewater treatment facilities, agricultural activities, and other organic waste sources.