Renewable energy company Ameresco Inc. recently held a groundbreaking with the City of Phoenix for a new wastewater treatment biogas project at the 91st Avenue Wastewater Treatment Plant.
This will be the first facility of its kind in the country once it opens. It will convert raw biogas into renewable natural gas that can be sold to the vehicle market. Once fully operational, the project is expected to cut carbon emissions by close to 45,000 tons annually, which amounts to the effects of planting 87,000 trees each year.
“Making Phoenix more sustainable isn’t just the right thing to do, it is also sparks innovation and creates exciting new economic opportunities," Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton said. "By partnering with Ameresco at our new processing plant, Phoenix is taking previously untapped raw biogas generated by wastewater treatment and turning it into a renewable energy source that can be sold. This cutting-edge partnership benefits our regional economy and environment at the same time. Phoenix has set ambitious sustainability and renewable energy goals, and this partnership will help us get there.”
Ameresco will control all aspects of the facility, from design through operation and maintenance. The facility is owned by the Sub-Regional Operating Group, which is Phoenix, Glendale, Mesa, Scottsdale and Tempe. Phoenix operates the facility.
“Ameresco is honored to be partnering with the cities of Phoenix, Glendale, Mesa, Tempe and Scottsdale, and we’re truly excited to break ground and get under way,” Michael Bakas, senior vice president of Ameresco, said. "The exceptional aspect of this project is the ability to capture a wasted resource and utilize it, thereby efficiently making use of this valuable renewable energy asset. We’re looking forward to making this project a reality later this year for a community that recognizes the tremendous value and importance of environmental stewardship in conjunction with fueling the local economic growth engine with this new business while at the same time reducing its costs."
The biogas project is expected to be up and running late this year.