U.S. Department of Energy Awards $3 Million to Waste-to-Energy Projects
In a recent development, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has allocated a combined sum of $3 million to two noteworthy waste-to-energy initiatives. One of these projects focuses on the promising potential of converting biosolids into renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
These awards have been granted as part of a funding opportunity totaling $34.5 million, which was announced by the DOE in March 2022. The aim of this funding opportunity is to support research and development (R&D) in waste feedstock and conversion. The initial round of funding, announced by the DOE in August 2022, involved the distribution of 22 awards.
The most recent awards, disclosed on May 19, fall under the purview of topic area four of the funding opportunity. This specific category concentrates on community-scale resources and energy recovery from organic wastes.
The National Rural Electric Coop Association Research, headquartered in Virginia, has been granted $1.5 million for its project named “Rural Energy RecOvery from Organic Waste” (REROW). The objective of this endeavor is to develop a suite of tools and assessment software for the organization's 900 rural co-op members. These resources will assist in implementing waste-to-energy technologies and facilitating the demonstration of a regional pilot program.
Additionally, the Upper Salinas – Las Tablas Resource Conservation District, located in California, will be provided with $1.5 million for its project titled “Nutrient and Energy Recovery from Regional Wet Wastes.” The primary focus of this undertaking is to explore the feasibility of establishing a centralized biosolids conversion facility. Such a facility would be capable of producing renewable diesel and SAF, thereby promoting sustainable alternatives for fuel consumption.
These initiatives exemplify the DOE's commitment to advancing the field of waste-to-energy technology. By supporting innovative projects in organic waste conversion and resource recovery, the department aims to foster sustainable practices and promote the utilization of renewable fuels.
