3M m³ of renewable natural gas at the Biomethanization Center

The City of Quebec announces that the Center for the biomethanization of organic materials (CBMO) has injected more than 3 million m³ of renewable natural gas into the Énergir network.

This initiative, resulting from the processing of residual materials from the city’s citizens, businesses and industries, generated revenue and savings totaling $2.3 million for the municipality.

By Alexandre Morin

It is with enthusiasm and pride that Marie-Josée Asselin, vice-president of the executive committee and responsible for residual materials management, announced that the Center for the biomethanization of organic materials (CBMO) had succeeded in producing more than 3 million m³ of renewable natural gas (RNG).

She also underlined the high standards required by Énergir, the purchaser of the gas produced, affirming that this achievement testifies to the quality and success of the Center.

“We really have a gem in our hands.”

Marie-Josée Asselin on the Center for biomethanization of organic matter

“Our factory works really well,” exclaimed Ms. Asselin. “We inject high-quality gas, we make income with that and we reduce our royalties,” she added to express the advantages that the Center offers.

The biomethanization center (CBMO) has so far treated 60,000 tonnes of sludge, which is equivalent to 850 garbage trucks full of purple bags.

Source: Quebec City

Ms. Asselin recalled that the collection of purple bags began in November 2022, with support from more than 75% of citizens and the registration of 1,250 industries, businesses and institutions since last April.

“When citizens take the right actions, when our industries take the right actions, it pays off,” she mentioned to illustrate the collective nature of the process. “Every time a citizen says: “Well, I don’t like the purple bag and I’m not interested in it,” we collectively deprive ourselves of an income,” she added.

Number of houses heated by 3M m³de GNR: 2775

Source: Quebec City

Streaming data

The City also announced the posting of a performance indicator online, making it possible to monitor in real time the quantity of renewable natural gas (RNG) produced and injected into the network. Updated every week, this tool offers increased transparency by presenting the results obtained using this municipal equipment.

Smell of rotten turnip

In response to complaints from several citizens in the Limoilou district regarding unpleasant odors coming from the factory, the Center claims to have identified the cause of the problem.

By correlating the timing of the complaints with that of the operation of the organic waste processing mechanism, the plant implemented adjustments to prevent the situation from recurring.

The City assures that the situation is now under control and that the foul odors should no longer bother nearby residents, while recognizing that zero risk in this type of operation is difficult to guarantee.

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