Abstract

Research Article

Understanding RNG Gas Quality through Execution at Newtown Creek WRRF RNG

Pradheep Kileti*, Brian Barkwill and Devinder Mahajan

Published: 25 May, 2023 | Volume 7 - Issue 1 | Pages: 017-023

With each passing year a new record for global emissions is set (1) and policymakers and utility companies must embrace all avenues for decarbonization of energy. Universal adoption of electrification for every building and home by 2050 (2) is not practical, a balance must be struck between an equitable transition to cleaner energy supplies and ensuring uninterrupted, safe delivery of energy to utility customers. Renewable Natual Gas (RNG) is a molecule-for-molecule replacement of traditional geological natural gas with tangible life cycle emissions reductions. California continues to lead the way, initially starting with the low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) which aimed to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuel, and subsequently, Senate Bill 1440, which established RNG procurement goals including 12% RNG by 2030 (3). Other States are starting to adopt similar changes such as Oregon’s Senate Bill 98 and Colorado’s Senate Bill 21-264. As utilities attempt to transition the energy network, they must never compromise system safety and reliability. Recognizing that raw biogas has dangerous levels of contaminants of concern (COC) and must be conditioned to pipeline quality, its important utility companies better understand the methods with which methane is extracted and the testing protocols used to confirm performance. This paper highlights the equipment, processes, and testing regime National Grid and its partner the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP) deployed as part of its Newtown Creek RNG project, which successfully began injecting RNG into the NYC gas distribution network in October 2022.

Read Full Article HTML DOI: 10.29328/journal.acee.1001051 Cite this Article Read Full Article PDF

Keywords:

Renewable natural gas; Newtown Creek WRRF; Gas quality; Gas blending; Gas distribution

References

  1. UN Environment Programme & Climate & Clean Air Coalition. Global Methane Assessment: 2030 Baseline Report - Why Act Now: a new era for accelerated implementation. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/53a09c47e4b050b5ad5bf4f5/t/63e51c1cc51031116b522631/1675959325919/2022_Methane-baseline-summary_0.pdf
  2. California Public Utility Commission. CPUC Sets Biomethane Targets for Utilities. https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/news-and-updates/all-news/cpuc-sets-biomethane-targets-for-utilities
  3. National Grid Group. Our vision for a fossil-free future," April 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.nationalgrid.com/us/fossilfree.
  4. Mahajan D, Tan K, Venkatesh T, Kileti P, Clayton C. Hydrogen Blending in Gas Pipeline Networks-A Review. 2022; 3582: 15. https://doi.org/10.3390/
  5. Loughran J. Britain's gas grid preparing to accept 20 percent hydrogen mix by 2023," Engineering & Technology 2022. https://eandt.theiet.org/content/articles/2022/01/britain-s-gas-grid-preparing-to-accept-20-per-cent-hydrogen-mix-by-2023/.
  6. American Gas Foundation study Prepared by ICF. Renewable Sources of Natural Gas: Supply and Emissions Reduction Assessment. 2019.
  7. Us Department of Energy. Renewable Natural Gas Production. https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/natural_gas_renewable.html.
  8. IEA Bioenergy. Status Report of Thermal Gasification of Biomass and Waste 2021. https://www.ieabioenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Status-Report2021_final.pdf
  9. Oxford Institute of Energy Studies. Power-to-Gas: Linking Electricity and Gas in a Decarbonizing World?. https://www.oxfordenergy.org/wpcms/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Power-to-Gas-Linking-Electricity-and-Gas-in-a-Decarbonising-World-Insight-39.pdf
  10. Wilson R. Interconnect guide for emerging fuels into energy delivery networks. Northeast Gas Association & GTI Energy, 2022.
  11. Mauro M. Incorporating RNG into the Gas System," American Institue of Chemical Engineers. https://www.aiche.org/resources/publications/cep/2021/september/incorporating-rng-gas-system
  12. Ascher K, O’Connell F. From Garbage to Energy at Fresh Kills. The New York Times. https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013/09/15/nyregion/from-garbage-to-energy-at-fresh-kills.html
  13. L’Observatoire International. 2009 AL Design Awards: Newtown Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, Greenpoint, Brooklyn, N.Y. https://www.architectmagazine.com/awards/al-design-awards/2009-al-design-awards-newtown-creek-wastewater-treatment-plant-greenpoint-brooklyn-n-y_o
  14. Digester Eggs bring “elegant combination of engineering and art” to Newtown Creek. Greenpointers. https://greenpointers.com/2017/10/31/digester-eggs-bring-elegant-combination-engineering-art-newtown-creek/
  15. Waste Management Fact Sheet. WM Varick 1 CORe – Newtown Creek Co-Digestion Project. https://www.wm.com/NYCMA/WMCORe%20varick-factsheet%20073114.pdf
  16. Guild Associates. Inc., Molecular Gas Adsorbent Technology. https://www.guildassociates.com/gas-processing-systems/mgtech/

Similar Articles

Recently Viewed

Read More

Most Viewed

Read More

Help ?