Renewable Energy
UGI Energy Services is committed to investing in renewable energy options as we strive for a cleaner, greener future. Our current portfolio of renewables includes renewable natural gas (RNG) from dairy digester and landfill gas applications, as well as power options. Our green energy experts can help your organization to navigate the complicated world of Renewable Energy Credits (RECs and SRECs), tax credits and incentives, Carbon Offsets, and Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs).
Renewable Natural Gas (“RNG”)
RNG has been produced for several decades but has recently gained more visibility as a viable alternative to conventional fossil fuels. RNG is pipeline-quality gas that is fully interchangeable with conventional natural gas and can be converted to compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied natural gas (LNG).
RNG is a biogas, meaning that it is produced from organic matter, such as manure, food waste, and other carbon-based materials. The natural decomposition of organic matter generates a mixture of gasses as a bi-product. One of those gases is methane, which is the primary component of natural gas. The production of RNG recovers that methane and requires the removal of impurities from the biogas mixture, such as carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, oxygen, nitrogen, and other gases, to meet strict pipeline and utility quality standards.
The production of RNG has two major environmental benefits. Aside from preventing the release of methane as a greenhouse gas into the atmosphere, which would otherwise be wasted, it also offsets the use and production of natural gas by replacing it with this renewable fuel.
The diagram below shows what the process looks like for a landfill gas application.
Demand for RNG is growing worldwide thanks to an increased awareness in environmental concerns and an interest in clean energy alternatives. RNG is a low-carbon alternative to its fossil fuel counterpart. The capture and utilization of fugitive methane emissions from sources such as landfills, manure lagoons, and wastewater treatment mean a reduction in the emission of these gasses into the atmosphere.
UGI Energy Services offers RNG options through GHI Energy. GHI offers renewable natural gas to fleet operators. UGIES and GHI experts help customers navigate the natural gas and carbon credit markets, maximizing fleet value and achieving renewable energy goals.
By powering fleets with clean RNG, customers can experience less price volatility, lower their tax rates, and take advantage of tax credits and other incentives. And by boosting their sustainability, customers can boost their brand image as well, showing their company’s concern for the environment and the community.
For more information about RNG options offered through GHI, visit their website.
GreenerGas
GreenerGas is a combined turnkey product that delivers renewable natural gas and carbon offsets to your organization. By taking advantage of product price differentials and market conditions, organizations maximize their purchasing power while meeting their short- and long-term ESG goals.
UGI Energy Services offers fixed pricing per tranche, allowing for organizational budgeting, forecasting, and compliance cost transparency.
Carbon Offsets
When projects reduce or avoid GHG emissions, they create offsets. A carbon offset represents the GHG emission reduction of one metric ton of CO2 or CO2 equivalent from the atmosphere. Offsets are created when projects reduce or avoid GHG emissions. A variety of projects around the world develop offsets, including forestry and conservation, methane capture, energy efficiency, and renewable energy.
With carbon offsets, organizations can reduce emissions outside of their controlled operations. UGI Energy Services purchases and retires carbon offsets on our customers’ behalf. Organizations maximize their purchasing power by taking advantage of product price differentials and market conditions while meeting their short- and long-term ESG goals.
RNG Production Assets
Spruce Haven Farm RNG Facility
Union Springs, NY | Dairy Digester RNG Plant
- RNG Production capacity of 50,000 scf per day
- Interconnected with New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG)
Allen Farm RNG Facility
Scipio Center, NY | Dairy Digester RNG Plant
- RNG Production capacity of 85,000 scf per day
- RNG shipped from site via CNG trailers
El Vi Farm RNG Facility
Newark, NY | Dairy Digester RNG Plant
- RNG Production capacity of 55,000 scf per day
- Interconnected with New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG)
Bergen Farms RNG Facility (under construction)
Odessa, NY and Catharine, NY | Two Dairy Digester RNG Plants
- RNG Production capacity of 150,000 scf per day
- RNG shipped from site via CNG trailers
New Hope View Farm RNG Facility (under construction)
Homer, NY | Dairy Digester RNG Plant
- RNG Production capacity of 35,000 scf per day
- Interconnected with New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG)
Moody RNG Facility
Dell Rapids, SD | Cluster of Three Dairy Digester RNG Plants
- RNG Production capacity of 820,000 scf per day
- Interconnected with Northern Natural Gas
Brookings RNG Facility (under construction)
Estelline, SD | Cluster of Three Dairy Digester RNG Plants
- RNG Production capacity of 800,000 scf per day
- Interconnected with Northwestern Energy
Lakeside RNG Facility (under construction)
Summit, SD | Cluster of Two Dairy Digester RNG Plants
- RNG Production capacity of 600,000 scf per day
- RNG shipped from site via CNG trailers to interconnect with Northwestern Energy
Broad Mountain RNG Facility (under construction)
Hegins, PA | Landfill Gas RNG Plant
- Produces RNG from biogas recovered from a landfill near Hazleton, PA
- Partnership with Archaea
- RNG Production capacity of 5,000,000 scf per day
- Interconnected with UGI Utilities
St. Bernard RNG Facility (under construction)
St. Bernard, OH | Food Waste Digester RNG Plant
- Located in an industrial area north of Cincinnati
- Partnership with Synthica Energy
- RNG Production capacity of 250,000 scf per day
- Interconnected with Duke Energy Ohio
Photovoltaic Solar Facilities
By utilizing the power of the sun, Photovoltaic Solar Facilities can create green power for their own use or to sell into the power grid system. This means that your organization can reduce the amount of electricity you purchase from the electric utility, and can sometimes even make some money by selling excess power back into the system. Solar-generated electricity qualifies for Renewable Energy Credits, or RECs, specifically SRECs.
UGI Energy Services has a track record of success with solar projects, both at our own facilities, and at our customers’ sites. UGIES owns and operates facilities with 13.5 megawatts of solar-powered generation capacity. These facilities include solar farms at our Temple LNG site and at our Steelton Propane Air & LNG facility.
We’ve also assisted customers with numerous solar projects in various industries including industrial, food production, and education.
RECs
A Renewable Energy Credit (REC) represents the clean energy attribute of renewable electricity generation. RECs are issued when one megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity is generated and delivered from a renewable energy source, such as wind, solar, or biomass. RECs are highly liquid and purchased by electric customers to convert non-renewable consumption into renewable electricity.
With strategically located facilities, UGIES combines and optimizes the use of our own generation assets in the broader market, keeping organizations supplied dependably with RECs. Our customers benefit from cost-effective and custom plan options for both compliance and voluntary market purchasers, with flexibility on the type and source of RECs purchased.
Solar Power Generation at UGI Energy Service’s Temple LNG Facility