Quasar Breaks Ground on Eighth Ohio AD Project

Construction has begun on an 810 kilowatt anaerobic digestion renewable energy project in New Franklin, Ohio, which will manage regional food processing waste and biosolids. When operational, the facility will be the eighth Ohio anaerobic digestion system to deploy technology provided by Cleveland-based quasar energy group.

The project builds on a continuing collaboration between quasar and PPG Industries Inc. Since 2009, quasar has managed PPG’s lime lakes reclamation project in Barberton, Ohio, where PPG also operates a specialty chemicals manufacturing site. “The digester project is the next step in a relationship that is built on a mutual dedication to environmental compliance and community enhancement,” says Mel Kurtz, president of quasar.

Quasar will operate the digester on property adjacent to the reclamation site that will be leased from PPG. In a release, PPG says that it has won a number of awards for its reclamation efforts, including national certification from the Wildlife Habitat Council.

“We are pleased to continue our environmental stewardship partnership with quasar with the digester project, which will accelerate PPG’s reclamation through the utilization of digester byproducts as soil nutrients to foster continued natural revitalization,” says Ted Ladd, PPG Barberton plant manager.

Funding for the project is provided in part by USDA Rural Development through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).

“USDA supports electric generation through anaerobic digestion as part of the Administration’s ‘All of the Above’ energy policy,” says Ohio Rural Development State Director Tony Logan. “An added feature of the lime lakes quasar energy project is the environmental benefit to the regional food waste management system.”

Quasar’s systems are built using 99 percent U.S. components, 80 percent of which are sourced in Ohio. Construction is scheduled to be completed in September 2013. This will be the third new quasar facility to come online in 2013. The company has two other projects nearing completion in Wheatfield and Buffalo, N.Y.