Bioenergy refers to energy generated when organic material is converted into a fuel for heating, electric or transportation applications. This organic material, frequently called “biomass” includes agricultural and forest residues, energy crops, algae, the organic portion of municipal solid waste and wastewater. Renewable biomass is organic matter that is available on a recurring basis, such as crop residues and animal waste, and would not include old-growth timber. Since New Jersey is a densely populated state, there is not much land available for growing bioenergy crops. However, due to the dense population, large quantities of organic wastes generated in the state can be converted into liquid or gaseous biofuels. Electricity generated by fuels from these feedstocks could qualify for either Class I or Class II Renewable Energy Certificates.

To better understand the future availability of biofuels in New Jersey, the Climate and Atmospheric Sciences Standing Committee of the Science Advisory Board conducted a study, completed in April 2023.  The findings indicate that by 2050, New Jersey could realistically produce 1 TWh/year of energy sourced from biofuels.  This would be generated primarily at landfills and wastewater treatment plants through the capture and use of biogas from these sources. Generating electricity this way is an important part of offsetting current fossil fuel use and meeting New Jersey’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2050. To read more see the full report here. 

TECHNOLOGY OVERVIEW

Waste to Energy

Waste to energy is one of the circular economy solutions that can have economic, environmental, and social co-benefits. By rethinking the supply chains currently used for waste management, we can more efficiently use natural resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and foster stronger economies. Converting organic waste streams such as wastewater, food waste and municipal solid waste at landfills into high quality useable fuels for power generation allows facilities to reduce operating costs while preventing the release of methane and other pollutants into the atmosphere.

Wastewater to Energy

Wastewater treatment plants can utilize anaerobic digesters to extract energy from wastewater. Typically, wastewater treatment facilities have excess capacity and can accept additional organic waste like food scraps, fats, oil, and grease to increase the generation of biogas. This fuel can be used onsite for heat and electricity or can be processed and sold as a new revenue stream. Wastewater treatment plants producing energy in New Jersey can qualify for Class I Renewable Energy Certificates from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. Beyond energy generation the use of anaerobic digesters reduces the volume of sludge requiring disposal at landfills and satisfies water quality standards. The sludge byproduct from this process can be converted into a beneficial reuse product called digestate. Digestate is rich in nutrients and can be solid as fertilizer. Currently, New Jersey has 37 wastewater treatment facilities that utilize anaerobic digesters for processing and of those 37 facilities, 11 have energy recovery systems in place.[1]

Food Waste to Energy

Food waste accounts for about 22% of all solid waste in NJ. DEP is actively working to reduce food waste in New Jersey, especially the 68% of food waste that is potentially edible.  The remaining, inedible food waste is valuable and can be used in applications such as fertilizer and energy production. Like wastewater, food waste can be used in anaerobic digesters to extract energy from food waste products. Anaerobic digestion generates biogas that can be used onsite for heat and electricity or can be processed and sold as a new revenue stream. Biogas can also be cleaned and purified to create renewable natural gas. Anaerobic digestion facilities in New Jersey can qualify for Class I Renewable Energy Certificates from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. Beyond energy generation the use of anerobic digesters reduces the volume of food waste requiring disposal at landfills. The byproduct from this process can be converted into a beneficial reuse product called digestate. Digestate is rich in nutrients and can be solid as fertilizer.

Landfill Gas to Energy

Landfill gas is a natural byproduct of the decomposition of organic material in a landfill and is made up of approximately 50-60% methane and 30-40% carbon dioxide, with other trace gases. Municipal solid waste landfills are the third largest human-generated source of methane in the United States. Of New Jersey’s twelve operational landfills, 11 use methane gas captured on site as a source of power, electricity, heat or to produce renewable natural gas. [2] Landfill gas can be processed into renewable natural gas so it is suitable for use in natural gas pipelines, but impurities can make this costly and energy-intensive. The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities categorizes electricity generated from the combustion of landfill gas as renewable energy, which automatically qualifies it for Class I Renewable Energy Certificates in New Jersey.

Landfill Resources

Basic Information about Landfill Gas | USEPA

Non-recycled Municipal Solid Waste to Energy

The portion of the municipal solid waste that is not recycled or reused is comprised of paper, plastics, food waste and yard trimmings that is either landfilled or combusted for energy recovery. The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities categorizes electricity generated from resource recovery facilities operating in compliance with all applicable laws as renewable energy, which qualifies it for Class II Renewable Energy Certificates in New Jersey. There are currently four resource recovery facilities in New Jersey. [3]

BIOENERGY UTILIZATION IN NJ

In 2020 New Jersey produced 15.9 trillion BTUs from wood and biomass waste (production), of that 9.9 trillion BTUs was used to produce electric power.[4]  Further, the utilization of bioenergy is a core strategy in achieving the state’s GHG reduction goals.  The 2019 Energy Master Plan and New Jersey’s Global Warming Response Act 80×50 Report modeling rely on biogas generated as a way of bridging the gap to achieving  100% renewable energy sources by 2050. In order to meet this goal while still meeting the demand for electricity, about 10TWh/year of electricity will need to be generated from bioenergy sources.

[1] NJDEP (2020). Global Warming Response Act 80×50 Report. Waste and Agriculture. Page 96.

[2] NJDEP (2018). NJDEP Approved Operating Commercial Sanitary Landfills.

[3] NJDEP (2022). Authorized New Jersey Incinerators.

[4] EIA (U.S. Energy Information Administration – EIA – Independent Statistics and Analysis)