RK&K recently attended the groundbreaking ceremony kickstarting Phase 2 of the Roanoke Regional Water Pollution Control Plant, a state-of-the-art facility that will convert biogas into renewable natural gas (RNG) for the benefit of the community.
RK&K is working with The Western Virginia Water Authority and the Roanoke Gas Company to improve the facility’s existing infrastructure while innovating and harvesting a renewable energy source by converting solid waste into biogas through anaerobic digestion.
This RNG product, the first of its kind in the Commonwealth, will necessitate construction of a digester gas conditioning system and interconnect facility at the Water Pollution Control Plant.
RK&K’s team designed the new conditioning system that will create pipeline quality renewable natural gas by removing impurities in the biogas.
The anaerobic digestion employed at the plant is a much more energy efficient way to treat solids compared to other methods such as aerobic digestion and heat drying.
“It has been an absolute pleasure for RK&K to be a part of such an innovative project and knowing that the Western Virginia Water Authority and Roanoke Gas may be paving the way for many more collaborative partnerships between water and gas utilities to provide renewable energy to its customers,” said Practice Development Manager Jeff Tyler, PE. “As stated at the groundbreaking, wastewater treatment plants are no longer about pollution prevention, but rather, resource recovery. The thought of using a wastewater treatment byproduct, such as biogas, that is historically flared or used for onsite heating needs and transforming this renewable energy source into natural gas is no longer a pipe dream for the Roanoke Valley. We are so thankful for being part of a Team that is truly making history in our industry while bringing awareness to alternative renewable energy options.”
For more information about this innovative project and RK&K’s role, watch the videos below:
