CalBioGas Hilmar completes central processing facility for dairy biomethane project

In California, CalBioGas Hilmar LLC, a joint investment between Chevron U.S.A. Inc., and California Bioenergy LLC (CalBio), has completed the central processing facility for their dairy biomethane project in Merced County, California. 

CalBio brings technology and expertise to help local dairy farmers capture methane from dairy manure in anaerobic digesters on their farms. As part of the joint investment, after the methane is captured, it is sent to the central processing facility where it is upgraded into renewable natural gas (RNG). The renewable natural gas is then injected into the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) pipeline where it is marketed as an alternative fuel for transportation. 

The RNG produced through this partnership is considered carbon negative on a lifecycle basis under California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS). Upon completion of the project, the estimated annual emissions reduction will be approximately 95,000 MT of CO2e per year according to the CA-GREET 3.0 Model. This methane is captured from a total of seven digesters that are part of the project.