TotalEnergies to produce transportation fuel in Texas using cow poop[Houston Chronicle] KEKKITY, SAVE THE COWS FOR GREEN ENERGY!
BY Tribune Content Agency
— 12:00 PM ET 11/30/2021
Nov. 30—TotalEnergies plans to build its first biomethane plant in the Texas Panhandle to produce renewable transportation fuel from cow manure.
The French oil major on Tuesday said it has partnered with California-based Clean Energy Fuels Corp. ( CLNE) to construct a biomethane plant on the Del Rio Dairy Farm in Friona, Texas, where it plans to produce more than 40 gigawatt hours of biomethane every year. The biomethane produced at the dairy farm will be distributed across the country through Clean Energy's ( CETY) fueling station network, supplying renewable natural gas to as many as 300 trucks a year.
"We are pleased to consolidate our entry into the U.S. biomethane market by jointly developing this first production unit on the Del Rio Dairy farm, through our joint venture with Clean Energy ( CETY)," said Laurent Wolffsheim, TotalEnergies' senior vice president of green gases and growth. "This project marks another step in TotalEnergies' transformation into a multi-energy company, and in the implementation of its ambition to be a major player in renewables."
Oil and gas companies are increasingly investing in biogas and alternative fuel projects as they face mounting pressure from governments and investors to avoid the worst consequences of climate change. TotalEnergies said it expects its Texas biomethane project will divert 45,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually by substituting fossil fuels with renewable natural gas made from cow manure, a significant source of methane emissions.
Biomethane, also known as renewable natural gas, is chemically identical to natural gas that comes from fossil fuels. It is produced by processing organic materials, such as manure and agricultural and food waste, through a biodigester, or fermentation tank, to produce renewable natural gas. Renewable natural gas can be used as an alternative transportation fuel for airport shuttles, city buses and heavy-duty trucks, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
TotalEnergies expanded into the U.S. biogas market in May 2018 by acquiring 19 percent of Clean Energy Fuels ( CLNE), the largest renewable natural gas provider in North America. In March, the two companies set up a 50-50 joint venture to speed up development of biomethane plants in the U.S. The Del Rio Dairy Farm will be the joint venture's first biogas plant.
TotalEnergies is the leading biogas producer in France, producing nearly 500 gigawatt hours. The company is aiming to become a major biomethane producer globally through partnerships such as with Clean Energy ( CETY ) in the U.S. and with Adani in India. The oil giant plans to produce two terawatt hours of biomethane per year by 2025, which is equivalent to the average natural gas consumption by 670,000 Americans each year and will reduce carbon emissions by 400,000 tonnes.
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