BP and Chevron have surprised everyone with the news of partnerships to obtain renewable energy from some unexpected sources. BP and Clean Bay Renewables have a new 15 year agreement where BP will buy renewable natural gas (RNG) processed from poultry litter and sell it as fuel for the U.S. transportation sector. Additionally, Chevron is expanding their JV partnership with Brightmark on their dairy biomethane renewable natural gas work.
CleanBay manages a process of mixing poultry litter, a mixture of manure, feathers and bedding, with water in an anaerobic digester. One of the end products is biogas, which includes methane. The biogas can be processed into RNG and used to fuel vehicles. BP will buy this renewable natural gas and sell it as fuel for the US transportation sector. BP will begin selling the fuel in California, where there is strong demand for RNG fuel due to incentives from the state’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard.
CleanBay’s approach is based on the sustainability efforts of the agriculture community by re-purposing poultry litter into RNG and a controlled-release fertilizer designed for optimized nutrient management. Approximately, over 14 million tons of chicken litter are produced each year in the United States alone. Each of Clean Bay’s plants can recycle more than 150 thousand tons of chicken litter annually.
This agreement with bp will finance its first active bio-conversion facility, planned in eastern Maryland. Its goal is to set up a portfolio of RNG and power facilities that reduce local emissions and provide farmers with an alternative use for their poultry litter and a fertilizer to increase their food production. Each of the 30 proposed CleanBay facilities is expected to generate enough sustainable energy to power 9,200 cars annually.
Michael Thomas, Vice President Biogas Origination, bp said, “Working with innovative companies like CleanBay will be key for bp to reach our net zero ambition. As one of the largest suppliers of RNG to the US transportation sector, this agreement will help us continue delivering competitive, reliable energy solutions.”
Thomas Spangler, executive chairman, CleanBay Renewables said, “By collaborating with bp, we continue taking steps to positively impact our environment. Not only will our process improve the air, soil and water quality around our agricultural facilities, but our RNG is a sustainable, environmentally-friendly way to help reduce GHG emissions.”
Donal Buckley, CEO, CleanBay Renewables said, “RNG is a necessary energy transition approach in the near-term, but green hydrogen and the use of RNG to power electric vehicle charging stations will be the backbone of a fast transition to a net zero future.”
