Q2Power comment on EPA methane regulations

Q2Power Technologies Inc. has released a comment on the recently finalised Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations that target methane emissions from the oil and natural gas sector. The new rules aim to reduce methane emissions, a greenhouse gas up to 35 times as potent as carbon dioxide, from the oil and gas sector by 40 – 45% from 2012 levels by 2025. Methane producing sites are key customer targets for Q2Power's combined heat and power (CHP) technology and other waste management solutions.

"We believe that the regulations enacted by the EPA are a positive step forward, and should be followed by greater measures and incentives to limit emissions and increase beneficial usage of methane at waste water treatment plants and landfills," stated Christopher Nelson, CEO of Q2Power. "Q2P is focused not only on limiting the release of methane into the atmosphere, but just as important, harnessing this renewable energy source to offset other carbon dioxide producing power generation activities."

Q2Power is instituting a two step approach to achieving this mission. First, the company's proprietary CHP technology is specifically suited to convert methane into power and heat at small scale wastewater treatment plants. According to the EPA, there are 10 billion gal./d of wastewater flow at facilities that produce and flare methane. If these facilities were to employ a CHP system, approximately 225 megawatts (MW) of electric capacity could be produced, and a total of 2.3 million tpy of carbon dioxide emission reductions can be achieved, equivalent to planting approximately 640 000 acres of forest or the emissions of approximately 430 000 cars.

Second, in co-operation with a leading company in the composting sector, Q2P is seeking to convert bio-solids from wastewater treatment plants into Class A agricultural compost and engineered soils for the construction and infrastructure sectors as products that help conserve water, reduce pollution, and create the foundation for economic growth.

This business model provides a beneficial option for water treatment facilities that would otherwise landfill their waste. Landfills are the US' third largest source of methane emissions, according to the EPA; and therefore, reducing the volume of organic waste being placed in landfills is a critical step to reducing methane emissions.

"Our strategy is simple: use methane to produce power and heat, and convert methane-producing landfilled waste into beneficial reuse products. We believe we can do this in a manner that provides needed efficiencies to municipal owned water treatment plants, generates consistent revenue for our company, and value growth for our shareholders," Nelson added.

Adapted from press release by Francesca Brindle

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/refining/06062016/q2power-technologies-comment-on-finalised-epa-methane-emissions-regulations-3460/