Anaergia Selected by Michigan State University for Largest College Campus-Based Renewable Energy Biogas Plant in the U.S.

BURLINGTON, ON, Oct. 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - Anaergia Inc. today announced that it has been selected and initiated development on the largest college campus-based anaerobic digestion system in the United States.  The anaerobic digestion system will be located at the Dairy Cattle Teaching & Research Center on the South Campus Farms at the Michigan State University (MSU) in East Lansing, Michigan.

"Anaerobic digestion provides the flexibility to convert a wide variety of waste streams including food scraps, manure and food processing waste into renewable energy and resources," said Ajit Srivastava, Chairperson of the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering at MSU.  "This project provides MSU the ability to demonstrate how anaerobic digestion can address the critical issues of society including food, environment and energy".

Once complete in 2013, the facility will convert 16,800 tons per year of food waste from campus dining halls, manure from MSU's dairy farm and food processing waste from the local community into 460 kW of renewable energy.  The renewable electricity will be used on campus while the natural fertilizer created through the process will be used on agricultural land.

"The payback on investment for this project will come from the energy produced, the fertilizer sales and also from tipping fees" said Dana Kirk, Manager of the MSU Anaerobic Digestion Research and Education Center (ADREC).

The organic waste will be fed to a complete mixed digester (CSTR) where the material will be naturally broken down by microorganisms in the absence of oxygen.  The methane rich biogas produced in the digester will be used to generate renewable energy using a combined heat and power (CHP) system.  The nutrient rich liquid will be separated from the left over solids leaving the digester and used as natural fertilizer on the surrounding agricultural land.  The remaining fibrous solids can be composted for use as renewable bedding material for local dairy cows or sold to the public as fertilizer.

"Michigan State University is taking great steps to further improve the quality of life for the community," said Bernie Sheff, Vice President - Agricultural at Anaergia. "MSU's anaerobic digestion project will generate renewable energy that can reduce dependence on the University's coal-fired power plant in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Anaerobically treating multiple waste streams in one flexible and centrally located system improves economies of scale and allows for the most cost effective solution to be delivered."

"MSU is demonstrating clear leadership in the global trend to divert organic wastes from landfills by converting them into renewable energy and natural fertilizer through anaerobic digestion," said Steve Watzeck, CEO of Anaergia. "We are proud to have been selected for this project by MSU, and are excited about the contributions we will collectively be making to sustainability."

About Michigan State University

Michigan State University, based in East Lansing Michigan, is one of the 10 largest universities in the United States with over 48,000 students and nearly 5,000 faculty members.  MSU has developed a reputation as one of the leading research universities in the world over the past 150 years.

About Anaergia Inc.

Anaergia Inc. (www.anaergia.com), is a global leader in the generation of renewable energy from organic waste streams.  Anaergia offers the widest range of anaerobic treatment solutions for municipal, industrial, commercial and agricultural markets.  Anaergia has over 20 years of experience through its subsidiaries, including its Michigan based subsidiary, formerly named UTS Residual Processing, and is trusted at more than 1,600 biogas based renewable energy projects globally.

SOURCE Anaergia Inc.