Wedoany.com Report on Mar 10th, The Moccasin Bend Environmental Campus (MBEC) in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA, recently partnered with Mainspring Energy to launch a project that generates electricity from methane produced during the wastewater treatment process. The project is expected to save approximately $300,000 in energy costs per month, converting wastewater treatment byproducts into a reliable on-site power source.
By installing Mainspring Energy's linear generator system, MBEC can produce most of its electricity on-site, offsetting about one-third of its electricity bill while avoiding traditional methane flaring. On-site generation will also reduce reliance on the external power grid, particularly during periods of high demand or outages, helping to enhance grid stability.
The initial phase of the project will install six generators, producing 1.5 megawatts of power using captured methane. Subsequent upgrade plans call for adding six more units, bringing the total generation capacity to 3 megawatts. At that point, the facility will become one of the larger municipal biogas power generation projects in the southeastern United States, supporting long-term energy cost control and Chattanooga's sustainability goals.
These generators are designed for low emissions and can operate on various fuels such as biogas, natural gas, hydrogen, or ammonia, allowing MBEC to flexibly adapt to fuel variations, maintain continuous power generation, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
MBEC Administrator Mark Heinzer stated: "This project changes how we view wastewater treatment. We are no longer treating methane as a waste product but using it to power our essential operations, enhance reliability, and lower long-term energy costs for the communities we serve."
Adam Simpson, Chief Commercial Officer and Co-founder of Mainspring Energy, noted: "We are proud to partner with the City of Chattanooga on a project that embodies forward-thinking leadership and a practical commitment to strengthening critical infrastructure. They sought a solution that could be deployed quickly, operate with low emissions on multiple fuel types, and provide reliable on-site power, turning waste into a productive energy source. We were able to deliver all that and more, and we look forward to continuing to expand this project with them over time."
