The Hermitage Municipal Authority wanted to optimize biogas production to help reduce their system’s energy consumption and use their renewable energy equipment to recycle the residual waste and ultimately lower energy costs. Biogas is created when biodegradable matter and bacteria ferment and can be converted into electricity.

RETTEW’s anaerobic digestion experts were brought in to guide the Authority through the permitting process and help manage the biogas system conversion process. Due to Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection regulations, specialized permits are required for municipal wastewater treatment plants to receive and regulate liquid residual waste. RETTEW’s staff helped obtain the necessary permits and began coordinating with the Authority on the advanced anaerobic digestion system. By optimizing the system to increase biogas production from residual waste such as municipal waste, sewage, and plant matter, each year the Authority will eliminate approximately 250,000 gallons of residual waste from entering landfills, while saving the plant more than $100,000 in energy costs and providing up to 200 kilowatts of electricity. Through this project, the Authority is not only increasing its overall sustainability, but is also eliminating its electrical costs and providing the community with renewable attributes and the broader business community with a cost-effective recycling method for residual waste.