In the U.S., the waste-to-energy industry focuses on turning organic waste into power through biogas production. This involves capturing methane gas from decomposing materials like farm manure and food scraps, then using it to generate electricity or fuel. Biogas plants rely on anaerobic digestion, a process where bacteria break down waste in sealed tanks without oxygen, producing gas that powers turbines or engines. Today, these facilities contribute about 1% of the nation’s renewable electricity, mainly from over 2,600 landfills and farm digesters. Northeast states lead due to population density and waste regulations, while Midwest agriculture provides steady feedstock.
The setup starts with collecting waste from farms, wastewater plants, or landfills. Bacteria ferment it over weeks, releasing methane that operators refine into usable fuel. This gas drives microturbines or generators, sending power to the grid or fueling vehicles as renewable natural gas. Unlike incineration, which burns mixed trash, biogas targets agricultural and organic streams for cleaner output with fewer pollutants. Capacities range from small farm units under 1 megawatt to grid-scale operations. Recent output equals 17 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity yearly, plus vehicle fuel for millions. Federal policies like tax credits encourage expansion by rewarding methane capture.
A clear example comes from Duplin County, North Carolina, where Capstone Green Energy Corporation (OTCQB: CGEH) will supply microturbines for a 6.6 megawatt (MW) biogas plant. Hog farms in the area produce vast manure volumes that release methane in open lagoons. The facility pipes this gas to on-site generators, powering thousands of homes while cutting emissions and odors. Capstone’s systems handle raw biogas variability, ensuring steady electricity without extensive purification. Farmers earn from waste tipping fees, and utilities gain reliable baseload power from renewables. This project shows biogas scaling in livestock regions.
Similar efforts thrive elsewhere. In Wisconsin, farm cooperatives run digesters processing dairy manure into gas for local grids and fertilizer byproducts. California mandates low-carbon fuels, spurring landfill biogas into pipeline-quality gas for trucks. New York captures wastewater biogas to heat buildings and charge vehicles. These sites trap methane that would otherwise warm the planet, equivalent to removing thousands of cars yearly per plant. Over 500 energy-producing biogas systems operate now, with Florida blending urban food waste and agriculture. Each adapts to local waste types for practical energy gains.
Grand View Research projects the U.S. biogas market to reach $7.34 billion by 2030, expanding at a compound annual growth rate of 2.7% from current levels. Market Data Forecast anticipates North America biogas production could climb to $243 billion by 2033, with over 6% yearly growth fueled by farm and food waste initiatives. The U.S. EPA foresees 470 additional landfills incorporating biogas recovery by 2030, complemented by thousands of new farm digesters. Renewable natural gas demand surges for transport and heating applications, supported by state mandates and federal incentives like the Inflation Reduction Act. Biogas meets the call for dispatchable renewables, offering reliability absent in weather-tied solar or wind sources.
Upfront costs run millions for digesters and connections, challenging small operators. Gas output fluctuates with waste supply or weather. Still, revenues from energy sales, credits, and avoided disposal fees recover investments in 5 to 10 years. Capstone’s North Carolina role lowers entry barriers with efficient turbines. Environmentally, these plants curb potent methane leaks from agriculture. Businesses cut hauling expenses while advancing sustainability goals.
Biogas turns overlooked waste into a vital energy piece, with projects like North Carolina’s paving wider adoption. As technology refines and support grows, U.S. farms and cities stand to power more from what they already produce.
