ENVIRONMENTAL BUSINESS
Energy Projects and Initiatives Will Impact New Jersey
The future of energy supplies and costs is being planned in 2021 .
Compiled by Miles Z . Epstein Editor , COMMERCE
The Garden State has a lot of activity going
on focused on energy . This includes the
Energy Master Plan , the NJDEP Global Warming Response Act , the Food Waste Recycling Act , renewable power initiatives , electric vehicle adoption and the New Jersey Community Solar Program . Here are some highlights of what ’ s being planned and in the process of being implemented .
Bayshore Family of Companies By Valerie Montecalvo , President and CEO
In 2020 , both the Energy Master Plan and the NJDEP ’ s Global Warming Response Act 80x20 Report outline strategies needed to achieve Governor Murphy ’ s bold vision for 100 percent clean energy by 2050 . The sweeping strategies outlined include 100 percent electrification of light duty vehicles ; converting space and water heating / cooling of 90 percent of all residential and commercial buildings to electric ; and replacing all fossil fuels in the electric generation sector with renewable energy sources within the next 30 years . On the way to the 2050 clean energy goal , both plans also recognize an important role for “ biomass to energy ” technology . With the governor ’ s enactment of the Food Waste Recycling Act this past April , opportunities exist to expand the co-digestion of biosolids with food waste or animal manure to make the best use of existing , capitalized wastewater treatment plant digester capacity while fostering beneficial energy production .
These opportunities should be fully explored by state agencies and utilities authorities in cooperation with the private sector . Co-digestion of organic material can greatly reduce the landfilling of food waste , which represents 25 percent of what is left in the waste stream after 33 years of mandatory recycling , and advance the governor ’ s vision for GHG emission reduction and a clean energy future .
BRS , Inc . By Matthew Brener , Engineer , Economic Analyst
It may seem all electricity is equal , just a stream of electrons flowing in steady currents through miles of wire from generation to service connections . But all electricity is not the same ; it differs by quality much like olive oil and wine , though the quality is related to voltage and frequency rather than body and taste . We are accustomed to the high quality of electricity that flows from controllable sources like natural gas turbines and coal-fired power plants , but when our grid starts to receive large injections of intermittent renewable power from the sun and wind , the quality may not be to our taste . There is an exciting new realm of research and development in power electronics and network communications that is racing to assure our grid is ready for flows of highly variable power that will flood the wires in the next few years . These upgrades will be expensive and ultimately paid by ratepayers , however , if the advances have not been made and the solutions have not been implemented , our cozy acquaintance with nearly flawless power supply may be eroded into intermittent outages and long-term brown-outs that will impact
our businesses , investments in equipment and daily quality of life .
Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC By Dennis M . Toft , Esq ., Chair , Environmental Group
New Jersey is facing the challenge of coming into compliance with a critical mandate to limit food waste and organic materials going to waste in landfills . The state ’ s residents and businesses are seeking long-term , sustainable solutions that will result in the meaningful reduction of greenhouse gas emissions . CSG is representing RNG Energy Solutions , LLC in obtaining permits and approvals for and otherwise in connection with the Linden Renewable Energy ( LRE ) large-scale anaerobic digester project to convert food waste to renewable natural gas as well as a solid product for use as a soil amendment . This $ 210 million investment in the City of Linden will produce renewable natural gas ( RNG ) in an amount equivalent to 24,000 gallons of gasoline per day from food waste . The RNG will be used to make renewable hydrogen . The LRE Project — notably located on a brownfield site — will deploy state-of-the-art technology processing approximately 1,100 to 1,200 tons per day of pre-processed food waste secured from the NY / NJ metro region and will be one of the largest carbon reduction resources in New Jersey . It is undoubtedly a harbinger for the future of energy supply in the Garden State , providing a reliable source of RNG while reducing carbon emissions and helping with mandated food waste recycling .
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Co-digestion of organic material can greatly reduce the landfilling of food waste . 26 COMMERCE www . commercemagnj . com