Alberta Firm Transforms Cattle Manure into Natural Gas, Sequesters CO2
An innovative project in southern Alberta aims to convert cattle manure into renewable natural gas while sequestering carbon dioxide emissions. Taurus Canada Renewable Natural Gas Corp. recently announced plans for an integrated anaerobic digestion and carbon sequestration facility near Lethbridge. This unique venture is supported by significant financial backing from both the provincial and federal governments.
Project Overview
The facility, known as Central Farms, will process approximately 130,000 tonnes of manure annually from local cattle feedlots. It is expected to produce 360,000 gigajoules of renewable natural gas each year, sufficient to power around 4,000 homes, equivalent to meeting the energy needs of the Town of Coaldale.
Financial Backing
This small-scale energy initiative is among six projects that collectively received $28 million from Emissions Reduction Alberta’s Industrial Transformation Challenge. Taurus has secured a $10 million grant from the Alberta government and an additional $3.4 million from the federal Low Carbon Economy Fund. The total investment for the facility is pegged at $85 million, with funding supplemented by Taurus’s equity and loans.
Process of Transformation
How does this transformation occur? The manure will be gathered from four feedlots and transported to the facility, where it will be stored to mitigate odors. The process involves several steps:
- Pre-treatment: The manure is combined with processed water, creating a slurry while removing any rocks.
- Anaerobic Digestion: The slurry is placed in enclosed tanks kept at 40°C in an oxygen-free environment for up to a month. Microbial action breaks down the manure.
- Carbon Sequestration: The generated carbon dioxide will be injected into a deep well for long-term storage.
- Gas Transportation: The finished renewable natural gas will be piped to local infrastructure.
- Digestate Production: Three types of nutrient-rich digestate will be available for regional agricultural use.
Innovative Solutions
Taurus’s executive, Phillip Abrary, emphasized that Alberta’s geological formations are well-suited for carbon storage. This project combines various existing technologies, providing a comprehensive solution for waste management and energy production. Ryan Kasko, CEO of Kasko Cattle Company, which supplies the manure, highlighted that this advancement represents an evolution in agricultural practices.
Benefits and Community Support
Community advocates have voiced support for the project, noting its environmentally responsible approach to managing manure while reducing carbon emissions. Daryl Bennett, a surface rights advocate, stated that the initiative provides a win-win solution for feedlot owners and the environment, ensuring proper waste management and fertilizer benefits.
This groundbreaking project stands to enhance Alberta’s energy security, lower carbon footprints, and contribute positively to the local economy, showcasing the potential of innovative renewable energy solutions.
