From: Porter, Paulette (GOV)
Sent: Thursday, October 21, 2010 4:24 PM
Subject: What the Governor's Talking about Today

What the Governor’s Talking about Today

Thursday, October 21, 2010

 

Governor Says Partnership with Sweden Fueling Growth of Michigan’s Bio-Economy, Job Creation

The governor today announced that Swedish Biogas International AB is exploring the development of a second facility in Michigan to produce renewable energy from municipal and agricultural waste.  She made the announcement as part of her Swedish investment mission following a reception with company and government leaders at the U.S. Embassy in Stockholm

 

The Swedish Biogas facility in Flint, one of Michigan’s first Centers of Energy Excellence, was initiated in 2008 and involves collaboration with Linköping University in Sweden, Kettering University and the city of Flint to convert wastes from the city’s wastewater treatment plant into bio-based energy.

 

The scope of the project in Flint was expanded this year to include co-digestion of agricultural waste, increasing the overall biogas potential.  The biogas produced at this plant will be used to generate electricity and will open the door for biofuel in the form of biomethane in the near future.  Additionally, Swedish Biogas chose to make the new Innovation Center at Kettering University its North American headquarters, setting the stage for Flint to be the launching point for expanding the use of this technology throughout Michigan and North America.

 

Swedish Biogas is currently conducting an engineering study for a co-digestion project at Reed City’s municipal wastewater treatment plant.  The project has potential to generate biogas for the purpose of producing affordable electricity and expanding the capacity of the wastewater treatment plant.  The General Mills Yoplait plant in Reed City, one of the largest yogurt plants in the world, is in discussions with the company and may provide feed sources for the digester.  

 

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