CHARLOTTE, NC – Duke Energy will use captured methane gas from swine and poultry waste bought at a planned facility in eastern North Carolina to generate renewable electricity at four power plants.
The exact location has yet to be announced, but Carbon Cycle Energy will build and own the facility, and it’s expected to be in eastern North Carolina.
"It is encouraging to see the technological advances that allow waste-to-energy projects in North Carolina to be done in an environmentally responsible and cost-effective manner for our customers," said David Fountain, Duke Energy president - North Carolina.
Duke Energy already buys electricity generated from other facilities in North Carolina and must meet compliance targets for swine and poultry waste under the state’s Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards.
"We are pleased to partner with Carbon Cycle Energy to help meet our compliance objectives," Fountain added. "The gas from this project will generate carbon neutral electricity compared to the emissions that would result if the waste was left to decay naturally."
Buck Steam Station in Rowan County, Dan River Steam Station in Rockingham County, H.F. Lee Station Combined Cycle Plant in Wayne County and Sutton Combined Cycle Plant in New Hanover County will use the captured and treated methane.
"We are pleased Duke Energy is supportive of our facility in North Carolina," said James Powell, CEO of Carbon Cycle Energy. "We still have additional work to do with licensing, local regulations and completing our organic waste supply chain. But having a confirmed buyer like Duke Energy is a major step."
The expectation is for Carbon Cycle Energy to produce more than one million MMBtus of pipeline quality methane a year over a 15-year-term. This should yield Duke Energy approximately 125,000 megawatt-hours of renewable energy a year – enough to power about 10,000 homes for a year.
The effort will help to satisfy state mandates through the annual generation of renewable energy credits.
