Brightmark Energy to develop biogas project at four dairy farms in Florida

Brightmark Energy has joined forces with four dairy farms in central Florida to develop a biogas project, which will convert 230,000 tons of dairy manure per year from 9,900 cows into renewable natural gas.

The San Francisco-based waste and energy development company is partnering with four Larson family dairy farms to build and operate three anaerobic digesters in Okeechobee County as part of the new biogas facility.

The biogas project will be developed, owned, and operated by Brightmark Energy at two farms owned by Larson Dairy and two farms owned by JM Larson.

On the completion of the project, the anaerobic digesters are expected to produce nearly 171,000 one million British Thermal Units (MMBtu) of renewable natural gas annually. The biogas will be supplied into the local interstate gas pipeline system.

Brightmark Energy to develop biogas project at four dairy farms in Florida. Photo courtesy of Mathias_Beckmann from Pixabay.

Bob Powell – Brightmark Energy CEO said: “We’re proud to partner with the Larson family, who have a long history as dairy industry leaders in Florida. Projects like these help to provide additional revenue streams for farmers, reduce local air and water impacts and enhance the sustainability efforts of farmers, so this project is a win for the farmers and the local community.”

Besides the Larson biogas project, Brightmark Energy has active projects across the states of Washington, New York, and Wisconsin.

After its commissioning, which is expected to be by the end of 2021, the Larson biogas facility will enable Brightmark Energy to produce enough renewable natural gas to drive a bus 16,281,400 miles annually. The company said that it is developing similar biogas projects across the US.

Woody Larson – a participating farmer said: “Brightmark Energy has been a good partner in the development of this project. We are glad the technology and economics are coming together to support our environmental and sustainability goals.

“Cows are the ultimate recyclers, creating wholesome milk from byproducts of the citrus, ethanol, brewing and textile industries. This technology now also allows us to convert manure to energy and improve the environment.”