In a groundbreaking initiative, a project in southern Alberta will utilize manure from numerous cattle to produce renewable natural gas while simultaneously burying harmful carbon dioxide emissions. Taurus Canada Renewable Natural Gas Corp. revealed its ambitious plan to construct an integrated anaerobic digestion and carbon sequestration facility near Lethbridge, supported by substantial grants from both the Alberta and federal governments. Once operational, the Central Farms facility will convert 130,000 tonnes of manure from local cattle feedlots into 360,000 gigajoules of natural gas annually, sufficient to power around 4,000 households or the entirety of the nearby Town of Coaldale.
This innovative energy venture, part of six projects unveiled recently under Emissions Reduction Alberta’s Industrial Transformation Challenge, received a total of $28 million in funding. Taurus secured a $10 million grant from the Alberta government, obtained $3.4 million through the federal Low Carbon Economy Fund, and financed the $85 million plant cost through a combination of equity and loans. Emphasizing support for local innovators, Alberta’s Environment Minister Grant Hunter highlighted the project’s positive impact on the energy sector, the province’s economy, and the environment.
The process of converting manure into power involves several steps outlined by Taurus. Livestock waste from four feedlots will be collected, stored in a facility to contain odors, and undergo pre-treatment to create a slurry free of debris. Subsequently, in anaerobic digestion tanks maintained at 40°C in an oxygen-free setting, the slurry breaks down over a month, generating biogas and nutrient-rich digestate. The captured carbon dioxide will be injected into a deep well for permanent storage, while the renewable natural gas will be transported to a nearby pipeline. By combining diverse technologies, the project aims to produce three forms of digestate for agricultural use in the region, fostering innovation and sustainability.
Ryan Kasko, CEO of Kasko Cattle Company, hailed the partnership with Taurus as a natural progression in harnessing energy from food production. He expressed optimism about the transformative potential of the technology for southern Alberta agriculture, aided by government funding to mitigate risks. Daryl Bennett, a Taber-based surface rights advocate, lauded the Taurus facility as a landowner-friendly and environmentally responsible solution for managing manure from feedlots. Recognizing the project’s ability to reduce carbon emissions, enhance fertilizer benefits, and exhibit careful planning, Bennett endorsed it as a well-conceived initiative with positive implications.