TotalEnergies, Vanguard Renewables to develop renewable natural gas

TotalEnergies has agreed with US player Vanguard Renewables to jointly develop renewable natural gas (RNG) in the USA, the French energy giant announced on Thursday.

RNG is an upgraded form of biogas fed into the conventional natural gas system. Its uses include power generation, thermal functions such as heating and cooking, production of bioplastics and deployment as a vehicle fuel.

Vanguard Renewables is a leader in farm-based organics-to-RNG production and a portfolio company of a fund managed by BlackRock’s Diversified Infrastructure business.

Under the agreement, the two companies will bring 10 RNG projects into the construction phase over the next year, with a total annual RNG capacity of 0.8 TWh, equating to 70.8 mcm (2.5 bcf).

Beyond that, the partners will consider jointly investing in a pipeline of around 60 projects across the country for a total capacity of 5 TWh, or 425 mcm (15 bcf) per year.

Vanguard Renewables owns and operates on-farm anaerobic digester facilities, targeting more than 150 facilities nationwide by 2026. The company partners with food manufacturers, retailers and others to source feedstock, giving partners the option to procure renewable energy generated in its facilities.

Photo courtesy of Vanguard Renewables.