From Methane to Megawatts: How Biogas Powers a Neighborhood

A look at the science behind capturing methane from food waste and converting it into usable electricity and heat for surrounding homes.

What is biogas?

When organic matter like food scraps breaks down in an oxygen-free environment — a process called anaerobic digestion — it produces biogas: a mix of roughly 60% methane and 40% carbon dioxide. That methane is chemically identical to natural gas and can power turbines, generators, and heating systems.

The conversion process

Our biodigesters maintain carefully controlled conditions — temperature, pH, and retention time — to maximize methane yield. The raw biogas passes through a filtration system that removes hydrogen sulfide and trace contaminants, producing clean fuel ready for combustion.

Powering the grid

A single community-scale biodigester processing food waste from a few hundred households can generate enough electricity to meaningfully offset the neighborhood’s energy costs. The waste heat from generation is captured too, providing hot water and space heating.

The math

Methane is 20 times more potent than CO₂ as a greenhouse gas. By capturing it and burning it for energy instead of letting it escape from a landfill, we achieve up to a 95% reduction in climate impact — while producing useful power in the process.