Spire, KC Water partner on Kansas City's first RNG project
SUMMARY
The project will repurpose biogas from the city's Blue River Wastewater Treatment Plant. [Image: KC Water]
By Shardul SharmaGas utility Spire announced on January 10 that it has partnered with KC Water to develop Kansas City, Missouri's first renewable natural gas (RNG) facility.
The project was approved in October by the Kansas City Council and is intended to repurpose biogas generated from the city's Blue River Wastewater Treatment Plant into RNG. The new facility is expected to be completed in 2025.
Spire plans to integrate the RNG produced at the facility into their natural gas supply, benefiting customers by providing sustainable heating for homes, fuel for businesses, and potentially vehicle fuel. As RNG is fully compatible with traditional natural gas and existing pipeline infrastructure, customers won't need to modify their natural gas appliances.
KC Water estimates that the project will result in a reduction of approximately 20,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent/year in greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the collaboration is expected to generate around $1mn in annual revenue for KC Water.
Spire Missouri will lead the project development, while Burns & McDonnell will contribute engineering and construction expertise. Spire aims to produce 0.3 billion m3/year of natural gas, sufficient to meet the energy needs of around 4,300 homes in the Kansas City region.
RNG, also known as biomethane, is a type of sustainable and environmentally friendly gas derived from organic materials. RNG is produced through the natural breakdown of organic matter in landfills, wastewater treatment facilities, agricultural activities, and other organic waste sources.
