Viridi Energy Puts New RNG Facility Into Commercial Operations at Alabama Landfill

Viridi Energy has started operations at a new renewable natural gas (RNG) facility off-taking landfill methane in Summerdale, Alabama.

Working in tandem with the Solid Waste Disposal Authority of Baldwin County, the Viridi Energy facility captures methane from the Magnolia Landfill and converts it into pipeline-quality RNG at the anticipated pace of 160,000 million British thermal units per year.

ACT Group has signed a multiyear offtake agreement for the RNG supplied by Viridi Energy. The Summerdale facility is Viridi’s first under its own banner.

“This is a defining moment for Viridi Energy,” said Dan Crouse, CEO of Viridi Energy, in a statement. “Our team brings more than 100 years of collective industry experience building and operating RNG facilities, but the Baldwin County site is the first to operate under the Viridi name. This project is a powerful example of how deep experience, thoughtful public-private partnerships, and strategic infrastructure investments can turn waste streams into revenue streams while creating long-term value for the communities we operate in.”

RNG is considered equal in energy qualities as normal processed natural gas. The methane which emits from landfills, however, is considered by many environmental scientists to be multiple times more harmful as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide.

Viridi assumed control of the project mid-development and worked closely with partners and county leaders to facilitate the project’s ongoing construction and commissioning. The Viridi leadership team’s extensive experience working with a range of gas upgrading technologies was key to enabling a smooth integration and successful project delivery.

The landfill site also is now home to a new 62,000-square-foot materials recovery facility (MRF) that will enhance the county’s ability to recover and recycle valuable materials. Within the MRF is the Waste & Recycling Adventure Center, a 7,000-square-foot interactive learning space designed to engage students and residents on the importance of waste recovery.

Baldwin County is the first of four Viridi Energy facilities expected to come online in 2025.