CARSON CITY, Nev. — The Gardiner Farms cattle feedlot in Kirkton, Ontario, Canada, is producing electricity and thermal energy with a new combined heat and power (CHP) system, offsetting the prior purchase of energy produced using fossil fuels. The farm is using former waste streams, manure, and organic material to generate biogas to fuel the CHP units — EnviroGen® Energy Modules from Elite Energy Systems LLC. The biogas is generated via a recently commissioned anaerobic digestion process.

The former waste stream is providing most of the heat and electricity for all of the farm’s operations as well as private residences located on the property. Electricity the farm does not use will be sold back to the utility, resulting in an additional income stream. Gardiner Farms said the system is another piece in the portfolio of green energy solutions enabling the Province of Ontario to meet its renewable energy goals.

“We at Gardiner Farms are excited with Elite’s partnership in this project,” said Joel Gardiner, operations manager. “Anaerobic digestion and on-farm energy production is a great addition to our existing farm operations. Elite’s CHP units will play an integral role in supplying our farm, and the Province of Ontario, with renewable energy.”

Elite, based in a Carson City, Nev., installed the Gardiner Farms CHP system. It is powered by two Caterpillar® model 3406 naturally aspirated low-Btu biogas-powered engines. Due to Elite’s partnership with Caterpillar, Gardiner Farms will have easy access to parts and service for the CHP modules through Toromont Caterpillar in Concord, Ontario.

Elite Energy Systems provides combined heat and power solutions to commercial and industrial customers. For more information, visit www.eliteenergysys.com.

Publication date: 01/30/2012