Biogas Energy
Anaerobic Digestion occurs when organic material breaks down in an anaerobic (non-oxygen) environment. Since 2006, Clare Riepma has worked with PlanET Biogas Solutions Inc. to plan, design and construct biogas plants at farms and industries throughout Canada.
The first PlanET plant was built in Jordan Station, Ontario and supplies electricity to a large greenhouse. Surplus electricity is sold to the grid and the heat recovered from the 250kW engine is used to heat the greenhouse. Surplus biogas is burned in the greenhouse boiler. This installation substantially reduces the amount of natural gas and electricity purchased by the greenhouse, thereby improving the viability of the operation while reducing its carbon footprint.
A second biogas plant has been built at another greenhouse in the Niagara Peninsula. Input for this plant is pomace which is leftover when grapes are crushed for wine as well as chicken manure.
Clare Riepma is actively involved in the biogas industry and the design and construction of biogas plants. Submissions have been made to the Ministry of Energy and the Ontario Power Authority with respect to feed in tariffs. Mr. Riepma is regularly asked to speak at conferences and seminars about anaerobic digestion and the biogas industry.
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