The City of Keene, New Hampshire is a recognized leader in sustainability initiatives (Keene’s sustainability programs). Carbon Harvest’s project with the City of Keene is unique because their existing 220 kW landfill gas-to-energy facility has been used to provide power to the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) for the processing of recyclables. The only external power available to the site is single phase, which is inadequate to operate the MRF.
In partnership with the City of Keene, Carbon Harvest was awarded a $500,000 EPA Climate Showcase Communities Grant for the extension of three-phase power to the site and the addition of a second generator. The goal of EPA’s Climate Showcase Communities program is to “create replicable models of cost-effective and persistent greenhouse gas reductions that will catalyze broader local and tribal government actions to stabilize the climate and improve environmental, economic, health, and social conditions.” EPA, Keene and Carbon Harvest finalized the award and kicked off the project in May, 2011.
Next steps are for City staff to obtain approval from the Keene City Council to negotiate and enter into an agreement with Carbon Harvest for the design, permitting, construction and operation of an expanded CHP plant integrated with a 20,000 s.f., hard-shell greenhouse facility. The greenhouse will contain an aquaponics system with up to 30,000 gallons of recirculating fish production coupled with a hydroponic food-growing system, and up to 10,000 square feet of algae production for biofuels research.
Education and research partners on this project include Keene State College, Antioch College and Dartmouth College.