California landfill earns grant to turn biogas into renewable fuel

The US Department of Energy (DoE) has selected The Yolo County Central Landfill (YCCL) for an award of $1.5 million to improve the current science and infrastructure to turn waste streams into clean, renewable fuel, reported Davis Enterprise.
The DOE grant to the YCCL — one of only 15 nationwide — focuses explicitly on community-scale resource and energy recovery from organic wastes.
The YCCL will evaluate the Tri-reforming and Fischer Tropsch Synthesis Biogas to Renewable Fuel Technology. The main objective of this project is to complete a TRIFTS pilot test and feasibility study of various technologies utilising sources of biogas readily available and converting them to liquid transportation fuels.
“We want to thank the DOE for its award of $1.5 million, which allows us to push the boundaries of green technology to facilitate the development of clean, renewable fuel from waste streams,” said Ramin Yazdani, director of the Division of Integrated Waste Management. “The YCCL will continue its mission of environmental protection, reimagining ways to recycle, repurpose and reuse waste.”
Yolo County already produces biogas from organic waste. The funded project will establish a baseline of performance and costs associated with YCCL’s current waste-to-energy operations.
Stakeholders, including the County’s Waste Advisory Committee and representatives from local cities and counties, regulatory agencies, educational institutions, and a newly formed technical advisory committee will have an opportunity to buy in and reach an agreement to move forward with the pilot phase.
At the end of the pilot studies, key inputs and outputs will be monitored and fuel samples will be sent to a third-party lab for analysis.
After reviewing with stakeholders, the County will determine the best path forward for near- and long-term waste management. The project will aim to inspire the Yolo community and other jurisdictions and the private sector to implement similar projects at landfills or anaerobic digester facilities.