homes. By 2029, Align RNG is projected to power approximately 70,000 homes. Dominion and Smithfield’s collabo-
ration is the country’s largest renewable natural gas partnership related to agri- culture and one that the companies say will transform the future of sustainable energy and agriculture. “This is two Virginia compa-
nies making a big commitment to sustainability,” says Ryan Childress, Dominion’s director of gas partnership business development. “It’s the perfect partnership.” Both companies have
been pursuing the use of renewable energy in their respective industries, adds Kraig Westerbeek, senior director of Smithfield Renewables, a platform the company formed in 2017 to accelerate its carbon reduction and renewable energy efforts. “Our company goals are similar,” Westerbeek says. “Smithfield is a leader in animal produc- tion, and Dominion is a leader in the energy sector. It’s a very natural fit.”
Westerbeek
Return on investment Also known as biomethane, renew-
able natural gas is a pipeline-quality gas that can be used as fuel. It’s produced by the decomposition of organic material. Covered lagoons called anaerobic digest- ers capture the waste from hog farms, breaking down the solids and containing methane emissions. A low-pressure bio- gas transmission line transports the gas to a central conditioning facility where it is converted into RNG. From there, existing underground natural gas distri- bution lines deliver the gas to homes and businesses. According to Dominion officials, there
is no risk of explosion. In addition to the low-pressure pipes, the untreated methane is about 30% to 40% carbon dioxide, which has an extinguishing property. “RNG is very unique,” Childress
notes. “It’s the cleanest source of energy available in the U.S.”
www.VirginiaBusiness.com Graphic courtesy Dominion Energy VIRGINIA BUSINESS | 39
Along with heating homes and busi-
nesses, renewable natural gas can be used in a variety of other markets, including powering electric vehicles, Westerbeek says. “RNG offers a lot of benefits. It can be sold for any purpose [for which] natural gas is used today.”
Individually, Dominion and Smithfield
Foods have long been exploring ways to enhance their use of clean energy. Virginia’s largest electric utility, Dominion uses mainly fossil fuels to power its generation plants. However, the company is increasingly turning to other energy
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