Trenton facility generates 27000 megawatt hours through food waste digestion

In a recent meeting of the New Jersey Assembly's Environment, Natural Resources, and Solid Waste Committee, discussions centered on the significant potential of anaerobic digestion for food waste management and energy production. The Trenton Renewable Power Facility, which produces approximately 27,000 megawatt hours of electricity annually, was highlighted as a successful model of this technology. The facility operates without subsidies, relying instead on private investment and a dedicated workforce, creating 35 new jobs in the state.

The meeting underscored the importance of harnessing food waste as a resource for energy generation. The facility's operations demonstrate that energy can be extracted from food waste, contributing to the state's energy grid through Public Service Electric and Gas (PSE&G). The speaker emphasized the need for more facilities like Trenton's to enhance energy production and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, noting that each ton of food processed results in 2.2 tons of CO2 equivalent emissions.

A key point of discussion was the potential for New Jersey's existing infrastructure, including 22 wastewater treatment plants and 11 landfills, to significantly increase energy output through the addition of food waste. According to a 2023 Scientific Advisory Board report, optimizing these resources could yield up to a terawatt of electricity, a substantial contribution to the state's energy needs.

The speaker expressed frustration over the perception that anaerobic digestion is not a worthwhile investment, arguing that even small amounts of energy can be crucial. They called for a broader understanding of the social costs associated with climate change and waste disposal, advocating for legislation that supports the development of anaerobic digestion facilities.

The meeting concluded with a strong endorsement of the state's food waste law, which aims to enhance food waste collection and utilization. Suggestions for amendments to the law were made to improve its effectiveness, particularly regarding the collection radius for food waste. Overall, the discussions highlighted a growing recognition of the need for innovative solutions to energy production and waste management in New Jersey, with anaerobic digestion positioned as a key strategy for achieving these goals.