Engineering Procurement Construction
www.EngineeringProcurementConstruction.com

What is Biomethane?

Biomethane is "renewable natural gas" made from organic sources - which starts out as "biogas" but then is cleaned up in a process called "Biogas to Biomethane" which removes the impurities in biogas such as carbon dioxide, siloxanes and hydrogen sulfides (H2S).

"Cleaned-up" and ready for use in an onsite cogeneration or trigeneration power plant, the Biomethane could also be sold to a pipeline company and completely replace the "natural gas" that is typically transported to markets via the vast underground pipeline system.

Biomethane will some day replace the "methane" that is sold by natural gas utility companies.

Biomethane has an unlimited supply, whereas the methane sold by gas companies has a limited supply.  Biomethane is renewable, whereas the methane sold by your gas utility company is not renewable. Biomethane recovery, use and production generates "Greentags" or a "Renewable Energy Credit" for the owners and is GOOD for our environment.

As previously mentioned, Biomethane is "naturally" produced from organic materials as they decay.  Sources of Biomethane include; landfills, POTW's/Wastewaster Treatment Systems, and every tree or agricultural product that is no longer living.  Biomethane is also generated from animal operations where manure can be collected and the Biomethane is generated from anaerobic digesters where the manure decomposes.

Biomethane, after installation of the Biomethane equipment is essentially free, as opposed to buying natural gas, presently costing around $10.00/mmbtu. 

Methanogenesis is the production of CH4 and CO2 by biological processes that are carried out by methanogens.

More About Anaerobic Digesters and Biogas Plants

Solutions for our energy and environmental problems include Anaerobic Digesters and Biogas Plants so that the USA can generate Pollution Free Power and Carbon Free Energy so that we can displace fossil fuels, especially fossil fuels from the Middle East, Russia and Venezuela. 

Biogenic Gas or "Biogas" is generated from multiple waste streams utilizing optimum renewable energy technologies such as Anaerobic Digesters.  

In a process we call "Biogas-to-Biomethane," unuseable and "dirty biogas" is cleaned into useable "Biomethane" which removes the typical impurities found in Biogas, such as carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide and siloxanes, so that the Biomethane can then be used as a fuel called "Renewable Natural Gas," in any way that natural gas from fossil fuels might be used.

There are Multiple Environmental and Economic Benefits for 
Installing Anaerobic Digesters:

Anaerobic digesters generate numerous economic and environmental dividends:

• Generate practically free Biomethane (also referred to as Renewable Biogas or Renewable Natural Gas) from waste streams.  The Biomethane can then be used as fuel for an onsite power plant such as a cogeneration or trigeneration power plant.
  

• Using the free Biomethane onsite to produce "green energy" qualifies your facility for additional revenue streams in the form of a Renewable Energy Credit, Carbon Dioxide Credits and/or other Greenhouse Gas Emissions credits. 
  

• Reduction in biological oxygen demand in wastewater by over 50%
  

• Reduction in nitrogen in wastewater by over 50%
  

• Reduction in phosphorous in wastewater by over 50%
  

• Dramatic and significant reductions of odors, pollution of surface and groundwaters and nutrient runoff from dairy farms (and other Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations), wastewater treatment plants.
  

• Better neighbors.... facilities that have installed Anaerobic Digesters have fewer complaints from their neighbors as a result of the reduction or elimination of odors.
  

Anaerobic Digester & Biogas Plant Design, 
Engineering and Feasibility Studies

Anaerobic Digester Initial Design, Engineering & Feasibility Study

Anaerobic Digester Design, Engineering and Feasibility Studies for new clients interested in Anaerobic Digesters.  This "vendor neutral" review and initial evaluation provides a basic foundation in our client's decision-making process and whether your facility is a viable candidate for one or more Anaerobic Digesters. 

Biomethane
www.Biomethane.com
The "Renewable Natural Gas"

Maximize Biomethane production from multiple waste streams and renewable energy technologies such as Anaerobic Digesters, Biogas Plants and Landfill Gas to Energy projects.

• vendor neutral in terms of equipment selection.

• our engineer has 27 years experience in Anaerobic Digesters, Anaerobic Digester design and repairing other companies Anaerobic Digesters! 

• We will only select the best products and technologies for your operation as we seek the optimum environmental and economic solutions for our clients.

• We know Anaerobic Digesters, Biogas Plants, Biogas to Biomethane and maximizing Biomethane production, as well as Cogeneration and Trigeneration power plants. 

• Our knowledge and expertise can help maximize Biomethane production at your facility.

• We have over 20 years experience in Cogeneration and Trigeneration power plants

• Our professionals can provide the turnkey solutions your facility needs, including; design, engineering, finance, legal, operations, maintenance and service/repairs of existing Anaerobic Digesters.

Confused by all of the companies involved in Anaerobic Digesters, Biomethane and Biogas Plants and all of the different types of Biogas and Biomethane plants?!?  We can help!  Our Phase I Biomethane Feasibility Study will help determine whether you should consider Biomethane production at your facility. Our fee for the Phase I Biomethane Feasibility Study is $50,000.00 for most facilities.  We require a deposit of $25,000.00 plus a refundable deposit of $3,500.00 for related expenses as our fee does not include costs for travel, lodging and incidental expenses and about 90 days to complete the study and deliver our recommendations. The balance of $25,000.00 is due upon delivery of our study.

It is important to remember that we are "vendor-neutral" in terms of products or technologies as we seek the optimum economic and environmental solutions for every project. Call (832) 758 - 0027 for more information about our Phase I Biomethane Feasibility Study or to schedule a start date for your Phase I Biomethane Feasibility Study.

Sewage Sludge
www.SewageSludge.com

We Turn Your City or County's Sewage Sludge Problems  into Profits and Green Energy

• Project Engineering Feasibility & Economic Analysis Studies  

• Engineering, Procurement and Construction

• Environmental Engineering & Permitting 

• Project Funding & Financing Options; including Equity Investment, Debt Financing, Lease and Municipal Lease

• Shared/Guaranteed Savings Program with No Capital Investment from Qualified Clients 

• Project Commissioning 

• 3rd Party Ownership and Project Development

• Long-term Service Agreements

• Operations & Maintenance 

• Green Tag (Renewable Energy Credit, Carbon Dioxide Credits, Emission Reduction Credits) Brokerage Services; Application and Permitting
  

According to the United Nations: "It is estimated that Greenhouse Gas Emissions  trading markets could be worth $2 Trillion by 2012."

http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=433&ArticleID=4792&l=en

Biomethane: the Perfect Renewable Fuel!
Biomethane Far Better than B100 Biodiesel or E100 Ethanol

As Biomethane is a near perfect fuel, and since Biomethane represents the best of all biofuels in terms of Recycling Carbon, and has the highest Net Energy Balance, and as Biomethane technologies such as Anaerobic Digesters and Biomass Gasification development increases and becomes even more commonplace, one of the fundamental questions is: what is the size of the potential biomass resource supply in the U.S.?

In April 2005, the DOE and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) co-published a report assessing the potential of the land resources in the U.S. for producing sustainable biomass: Biomass as Feedstock for a Bioenergy and Bioproducts Industry: The Technical Feasibility of a Billion-Ton Annual Supply. Looking at forestland and agricultural land, the two largest potential biomass sources, this study estimates that the U.S. can sustainably produce up to 1.3 billion tons of biomass feedstock by mid-century. This would be enough feedstock to produce 60 billion gallons of B100 Biodiesel and E100 Ethanol with today's technologies.

This study doesn't address the opportunities for Biomethane production from biomass feedstock or Biomass Gasification technologies. Some recent estimates indicate that Biomethane could replace up to 50% of present natural gas consumption in the U.S. and in some countries, such as Iceland, Biomethane already provides 100% of the natural gas requirements.

There are many assumptions in the Billion Ton Study report that impact these estimates, but we believe the estimates reasonably reflect the potential availability and impact of biomass resources.

Of the total estimated resource, the study suggests that forestlands in the contiguous United States can produce approximately 368 million dry tons annually. This projection includes 52 million dry tons of fuelwood harvested from forests and woodlands, 145 million dry tons of residues from wood processing mills and pulp and paper mills, 47 million dry tons of urban wood residues including construction and demolition debris, 64 million dry tons of residues from logging and site clearing operations, and 60 million dry tons of biomass from fuel treatment operations.

Biomass to Biofuels

By "converting" biomass wastes – such as municipal solid waste, sewage sludge, crop residues, energy crops, and manure – into biofuels, this will resolve the energy, environmental and political problems in an economical and environmentally sound manner - that will produce over one million new jobs.

According to Jeff Seisler, Director of the European Natural Gas Vehicle Association, "Biomethane has an outstanding potential as a multifaceted solution to multifaceted social problems: urban and agricultural waste management, water purification, and clean air. Urban and agricultural waste can be processed into usable methane, as can the sewage during the water purification process. Cleaning and compressing the gas for use in vehicles then provides cleaner air than petroleum-consuming vehicles."

Continuing, Mr. Seisler states about Biomethane; "this environmental 'closed loop waste-to-energy-to-fuel used in vehicles that again truck the next load of waste to the energy processing plants-substitutes fossil fuels with a renewable resource and reduces greenhouse gases 100% as compared to over gasoline vehicles (on a well-to-wheel basis).

According to Peter Boisen Chairman, of ENGVA, "various well respected European research institutes now estimate more than three times better fuel output per hectare of land used than if going for ethanol or biodiesel. Sweden currently has a 51% Biomethane share, and Switzerland 37%. France, Norway, Germany and Austria use smaller amounts for vehicles. Iceland, completely without natural gas, uses 100% biomethane in its NGVs," Boisen says.  Continuing, Boisen adds, "China, India, Korea, the Ukraine, Spain and Italy are other examples of countries now starting up projects where Biomethane will be used as a vehicle fuel." 

"With the energy efficiency of the gas production process at 50% to 70% it's hard to think of a more socially acceptable and economic energy value for the transportation sector," Boisen says.

"Governments need to get out of their liquid fuel paradigm to refocus and balance their policies and communications to support the development of a Biomethane infrastructure. In Europe Biomethane has the potential to replace 20% of the petroleum consumed in the transport sector by 2030."

Thursday, 29 June 2006
Sacramento, California USA and Sweden 

In a ceremony held at the Ministry of the Environment in Stockholm, representatives of the Kingdom of Sweden and the State of California signed an agreement pledging the two governments and their related industries to work together to develop bioenergy, with a particular emphasis on Biomethane. 

“Through a strong working relationship between its industry and government, Sweden is showing how bioenergy can be developed in a cost-effective manner that benefits its economy and environment. We are extremely pleased to have signed this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will provide a basis for intensified collaboration between Swedish and California officials to develop a thriving bioenergy industry in California,” said Joe Desmond, Undersecretary for the California Resources Agency.

In particular, Sweden has been a global leader in terms of converting biowaste, largely agricultural material and residues, into usable Biomethane. This gas is then used to either generate electricity, residential heating, or as a transportation fuel.

More than 8,000 vehicles in Sweden are powered by a combination of natural gas and Biomethane. The vehicles include transit buses, refuse trucks, and more than 10 different models of passenger cars. There are more than 25 Biomethane production facilities in Sweden and 65 filling stations. The Swedish Biomethane industry has been growing at an annual rate of about 20 percent over the last five years.

According to the Swedish Gas Association, more than 50 percent of the methane used to power Sweden’s natural gas vehicles now comes from biological sources, up from 45% last year. Natural gas vehicle sales in Sweden are increasing at the rate of 25% per annum. 

Sweden was motivated to develop its Biomethane industry because it has no natural gas reserves, to more efficiently manage its waste, and to meet its obligations under the Kyoto Accord. Since Biomethane is developed from methane sources that would normally release into the atmosphere, it’s considered one of the most climate friendly fuels. Methane (and Biomethane) is 21 times more reactive as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide (CO2). Sweden is currently meetings its objectives and schedule as outlined in the Kyoto accord.

Biomethane is developed by heating up and breaking down biomaterials in an (Anaerobic Digesters) digester. Among other raw materials, Swedish operators feed their Anaerobic Digesters with slaughterhouse waste, swine manure, and even grassy crops. After the materials breakdown over a 20 day period, technology is then used to remove the impurities and produce Biomethane. Once cleaned-up, Biomethane is 98 percent methane and easily meets the Swedish and California pipeline standards.

The Memorandum of Understanding can be accessed on the California Resources Agency Web site: http://resources.ca.gov/press_documents/CaliforniaSwedenBiofuelsMOU.pdf

What is a Real Estate Master Plan?

A real estate master plan is a roadmap to the future with respect to a specific real estate location or parcel.  There are many different definitions for describing a Master Plan.  Real Estate Master Plan's should provide the client with:

          *  Address issues such as environmental, physical facilities/city services, which will be required during the coming years.  i.e. water, wastewater treatment, fire, police, environmental studies/impact of subject parcel, present and future regulatory requirements, and project funding.

          *  Review and analyze a city's existing planning and zoning laws/regulations that impact, or may affect the specific parcel.  

A Master Plan is a written and a schematic drawing depicting your present real estate site and any buildings and facilities, as well as parking, trees, topography, creeks/water features, overhead power lines, easements, streets, and any other environmental features, and the owner's "vision" or future plans for expansions, utilities, streets and buildings are overlaid. The plan also shows phasing of future expansion, for example: when the worship attendance reaches 400, expand the sanctuary and add classrooms.  

The Real Estate Master Plan is, as previously mentioned, a road map to the client's future and vision of the real estate, beginning with where "we" are now, where we've been, and how we achieve the desired dreams and goals of the owner.  The Real Estate Master Plan  includes specific recommendations, implementation strategies, and the vision of the owner with his/her/their goals and objectives. 

Why do we need a Master Plan?

The most important aspect of master planning is for us to professionally interpret the owner's vision and dream into a " road map" for the future for their property.  Any property owner that is considering a new site should have a feasibility site study completed. 

Many times, a buyer will ask us to perform a feasibility study, which is the first step to a more formal Real Estate Master Plan, and they think they have a great price on a parcel or tract.  Without our expertise, the buyer may have actually overpaid for the parcel due to the environmental, planning/zoning, or other unknown variables, and in reality the buyer thinking he was getting a great bargain on 40 acres for the price of 10, was only able to use 5 acres out of the 40 acres, for a real price 60 acres! Our feasibility studies identify these hidden problems and negative attributes of specific parcels, and helps the buyer discover the true value of the site as well as its' future potential.

Every site should be planned before ANY construction begins. Our goal is to help the owner produce an economically viable and profitable project without negatively impacting the opportunities for future development. Excellent master planning avoids costly mistakes and problems in the future. 

What's involved in updating the Master Plan?

A Master Plan may be updated every five to ten years.  Reasons for updating a Real Estate Master Plan include:

          * Growth, development and changes in the size of the community.

          *  Requirements to expand and upgrade facilities.

          *  To comply with new regulations.

          *  To prepare for future, planned growth as well as future financial planning and budgets.

How is a Master Plan developed?

The creation of the Master Plan is a collaborative process. Depending on the size of the project, expert consultants may be required to evaluate a variety of potential technical solutions and develop recommendations. Just as importantly, a stakeholder's outreach program may be required. A stakeholder is anyone that may be positively or negatively impacted as a result of the new Master Plan. Workshops, or a number of "charette's" may be provided for stakeholders to discuss and comment on issues including local/regional planning and zoning, streets, utilities, water quality, air quality, regulatory compliance, wastewater, taxes, and city services, including police/fire/library services.

A real estate master plan can be a quick " sketch" or more formal feasibility study to help a buyer decide if a yet unpurchased piece of land is feasible. It can also be a formal, colored site plan used for presentations and fund raisers. However, a master plan is not an attempt to generate a floor plan for every future building.

How Often Should a Site be Master Planned?

A site should be reviewed before each phase of construction. Businesses, communities, ministries and zoning requirements change over time. Therefore, the long range goals of the site will also change. A master plan is nothing more than a snapshot in time of current conditions and ministries.  As times change, so do goals for the site.  Hence why exact buildings plans during a master plan are not feasible.

How Do You Master Plan?

First a topographic survey of the property is obtained. Next the overall land is analyzed with respect to streets, easements, buffers, zoning, setbacks, flood plains and natural features. The land remaining is the actual usable acreage.

A concept Sketch is first derived by assessing the long range goals of the site and the vision of the buyer/owner.  The required parking and building sizes are then estimated and ready for placement on the site. Parking should typically encircle the buildings and not be to one side, aiding in exterior circulation. Interior circulation should be reviewed and building entry points determined.

Grades are reviewed for multiple story facility use. Finally, site amenities such as green space, walking trails, gazebos, playgrounds, gardens, etc. are added in the remaining areas.

The concept is then refined into the final product.  Many projects use this final drawing for a marketing or fundraising tool.  It is important to remember that while building masses are shown with some detail for visual character, changes to the building shape and overall layout are to expected when each phase is completed.

Conclusion

Every site should be Master Planned before it is purchased and before every phase of construction. Consult an architect or civil engineer for this purpose and you may avoid costly mistakes or purchasing inadequate land.

Master Plan for the physical, social, and economic development of Peaine Township . The plan is to be comprehensive, and developed in the context of a full Island perspective. It will include action recommendations to guide the responsible township and county agencies in the plan's implementation.

A Master Plan is a written and a schematic drawing depicting your current site and facilities, parking, trees, etc. and showing the location of future expansions. The plan also shows phasing of future expansion, for example: when the worship attendance reaches 400, expand the sanctuary and add classrooms.

Master plans allow churches to maximize the utilization of their site, save time and money, and it gives them a tool to use for annual planning, fund raising, etc.

We receive many calls from churches who are now "land locked", and who may have had enough property before building, but because they did not have a Master Plan, the original building was placed in such a way on the site that additions are difficult or impossible. Also, costly demolition may have to be done in order to accommodate an addition that was not considered in a Master Plan before construction began.

What is a Master Plan Feasibility Study?

A Master Plan Feasibility Study is a complete analysis of your current site and facilities, your growth potential, and your financial capability. We gather information from you that allows us to calculate your need for worship, classroom, and other space. We look at your growth history and project your future growth. Then we can calculate the amount of square footage you will need in each area and can estimate the cost for building.

Sometimes a Feasibility Study will reveal that a current site is maximized and that relocation should be considered. With each Feasibility Study, we will present recommendations for you to consider.

What is a mixed-use development?