Anaergia Delivers Largest Power Purchase Agreement using Renewable Biogas and Fuel Cells in North America in Public-Private Partnership with Inland Empire Utilities Agency

BURLINGTON, ON, Oct. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - Anaergia Inc., a global leader in the generation of renewable energy from organic waste, today announced the full commission and operation of the largest power purchase agreement using a fuel cell system powered by renewable biogas in North America. The Agreement between Anaergia and the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA) relates to operations at the RP-1 Water Recycling Facility (RP-1) in Ontario, California.

Anaergia designed, built, financed and now owns and operates the 2.8 MW (Megawatt) renewable energy facility under a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with IEUA.  The RP-1 Water Recycling Facility, which can treat up to 44 million gallons a day of wastewater, purchases base load power from Anaergia to offset approximately 60% of the grid power previously used by the facility to treat wastewater.  This provides a reliable power source at predefined and competitively priced rates that generate long-term cost savings.

In addition to reducing long-term energy costs and contributing to the energy self-sufficiency of the RP-1 Water Recycling Facility, Anaergia's operations significantly contribute to improving the air quality for the residents of Ontario, California and California's South Coast Air Quality Management District by using one of the most environmentally sustainable options available.  The biogas created through the anaerobic digestion of wastewater biosolids is cleaned and conditioned prior to sending the biogas to the fuel cell system.  The fuel cell system then converts the biogas into renewable electricity through an electrochemical process similar to the process used in batteries. Anaergia's system eliminates the need to combust biogas which reduces NOx, SOx, and particulate matter emissions from the installed fuel cell system by 70%-90% compared to typical internal combustion engine systems.

"IEUA is proud to expand its already successful renewable energy program with the addition of a biogas powered fuel cell system," said Terry Catlin, President of the IEUA Board.  "The fuel cell allows IEUA to move closer to its strategic energy plan goal to go "Gridless by 2020" with almost no capital outlay by the Agency. Our plan is to minimize IEUA's dependency on energy purchased from the grid, and to be able to operate completely off the grid during peak energy usage periods."

"The RP-1 Fuel Cell Project with the Inland Empire Utilities Agency is a world-class example of how energy self-sufficiency can be achieved by generating renewable and cost effective electricity onsite under a power purchase agreement," said Steve Watzeck, CEO of Anaergia Inc.  "This project will have a lasting and positive impact on the area by reducing greenhouse gas emissions in California's South Coast Air Quality Management District and providing long-term electricity cost savings to the district.  Anaergia is pleased to be a part of Inland Empire Utilities Authority's renewable energy portfolio and contribute to their goal of energy self-sufficiency by 2020."

About Inland Empire Utilities Agency
IEUA is a municipal water district located in western San Bernardino County, California with a mission to supply drinking water, collect and treat wastewater, produce beneficially reusable compost and high quality recycled water to the 850,000 residents living within its 242-square miles service area. The Agency is comprised of Chino, Chino Hills, Fontana, Montclair, Ontario and Upland, as well as the Cucamonga Valley and Monte Vista Water Districts.

About Anaergia Inc.

Anaergia (www.anaergia.com), headquartered in Burlington, Ontario, Canada, is a global leader in the generation of renewable energy from organic waste streams.  Anaergia offers the widest range of anaerobic treatment solutions to municipal, industrial and agricultural markets with more than 20 years of experience and 1,600 operational renewable energy from biogas projects globally.

SOURCE Anaergia Inc.