Quantum Biopower gets green light to build AD plant in Connecticut

Quantum Biopower, a Connecticut, US, firm, has received approval from the Southington Planning & Zoning committee to build a food recycling and anaerobic digestion facility in the city. Quantum notes that the facility, when completed, will be the first of its kind in the state. 

The facility is expected to cost around $12 million. To assist in the financing, the company received a $2 million loan from Connecticut Green Bank.

Following approval by the Southington Planning & Zoning committee, the company has received contracts to receive food waste from Aqua Turf Club, the Southington Country Club and the Farmington Club to power its facilities. The food waste will be converted by the anaerobic digester into electricity. 

When fully operational Quantum expects the Southington facility to generate enough electricity to power 750-800 homes per year. The plant is expected to produce up to 1.1 megawatts of electricity.

In addition to power, the plant will produce 10,000 tons per year of compost and soil amendment materials. Fuel for the facility, about 40,000 tons per year, will come from organic waste generated by restaurants and other large food waste producers in the area.

Brian Paganini, vice president and managing director of Quantum Biopower Holdings Inc., says the development of the Southington digester project will fill a critical infrastructure gap in the state where large food-waste generators will have the option to recycle their food-waste material, ultimately lowering recycling costs while producing clean renewable energy and organic compost.