Evensol, Republic and Duke Energy partner on RNG projects

Evensol LLC, a renewable energy project developer focusing on biogas and methane mitigation, has developed two renewable natural gas (RNG) facilities in North Carolina that are now operational. 

The Foothills Renewables Project in Caldwell County and the Upper Piedmont Renewables Project in Person County convert landfill gas from Phoenix-based Republic Services’ landfills into RNG.

The RNG from the facilities will provide clean transportation fuel to commercial fleet vehicles. Each project will initially produce up to 500,000 dekatherms (Dths) of RNG each year. The combined 1 million Dths is equivalent to the average annual natural gas use of nearly 17,000 residential customers in North Carolina.

“We’re excited for the Foothills and Upper Piedmont projects to join our growing portfolio of renewable natural gas investments,” says Sasha Weintraub, Duke Energy senior vice president and president of Duke Energy’s natural gas business unit. “Duke Energy is committed to supporting sustainable energy solutions, and we’re proud to be an industry leader in the RNG space as we continue our journey toward a cleaner energy future.”

Evensol says it has a positive environmental impact, taking a natural byproduct of waste and converting it into renewable fuel.

Evensol, based in Sisters, Oregon, and its partners invested in excess of $110 million in the combined projects. Charlotte, North Carolina-based Duke Energy is an equity investor in the two projects. Funding also included nearly $73 million in loans guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and arranged by Greater Commercial Lending, Reno, Nevada.

“Evensol is thrilled to bring these projects online, providing a beneficial use for large volumes of landfill gas while creating a valuable renewable energy source for the residents of North Carolina,” Evensol President and CEO David Wentworth says. “We are grateful to all our project stakeholders, investors and lenders for their patience and support in bringing these historic facilities online.”

Both projects include the development, design, permitting, construction, commissioning and operations of a state-of-the-art RNG facility. Energyneering Solutions LLC (ESI), Sisters, Oregon, designed, constructed and will operate the facilities. Primary project components include equipment from Paris-based Air Liquide; Guild Associates, Dublin, Ohio; Perennial Energy, West Plains, Missouri; and Vilter Manufacturing.

“ESI enjoyed leveraging its many years of experience dedicated exclusively to the biogas industry to design and build these facilities,” ESI President Benny Benson says. “The real win for ESI and all the stakeholders involved is that ESI will also operate the facilities, relying on the intimate knowledge we have developed through their design and construction.”

Republic Services is committed to decarbonizing operations and providing low-carbon solutions to customers. These landfill RNG projects directly support Republic’s long-term sustainability goal to beneficially reuse 50 percent more biogas by 2030.

“At Republic Services, our vision is to partner with customers to create a more sustainable world now and for future generations,” Republic Services Area President Shane Walker says. “Through our partnership, these projects will allow us to convert landfill gas into a low-carbon fuel source that reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Projects like these are not only helping Republic Services meet our sustainability goals, but our customers, as well.”

Republic has partnered with Aria Energy and Archaea Energy, which now is owned by BP, on previously announced RNG ventures.