Minnesota is exploring the possibility of incorporating leftovers as a new energy source into its power grid.
The energy source is known as an Anaerobic Digestor, which takes in food and yard waste and converts it into fuel, just like a stomach does.
According to Dem-Con President Bill Keegan, the process can be compared to our stomachs. Just as we put food in and get various outputs, such as liquids, gases, and solids, the same applies to this renewable energy process. The gases produced are renewable natural gas, while the liquids are reincorporated into the process. The solids, on the other hand, go through a high-temperature process and are transformed into biochar. This biochar can serve multiple purposes, including being used as soil amendments, for mediation projects, and even for carbon sequestration.
Representative Athena Hollins of St. Paul is proposing the digestor, which aims to secure a one-time appropriation of $100 million. This funding would enable the unlocking of an additional $30 million in federal tax credits and $40 million in private equity. The digestor has the capacity to generate energy that can power 4,500 homes or provide 1.7 million therms.
