Anaerobic Digesters
Minimizing Waste
Info
By combining the mechanical and electrical systems in the
building, the Synthesis team was able to create a building that
could produce energy for itself. This building is set to be the
prototype for self-sustaining buildings in the future and the
team ensured that the bar was set relatively high. The key to
this energy production is the idea of Quad-Generation by the
Synthesis engineers. This system uses food waste to feed an
anaerobic digester which in turn feeds a micro turbine. The
micro turbine then provides power to the facilities across the
Growing Power site. Not only in this producing energy from the
building but it is also removing waste from the local community
and keeping it out of local landfills.
Combustion in the 200kW microturbine results in the coproduction of:
1. Electricity
2. Heating - Exhaust heat is transferred to an exhaust gas
heat exchanger to produce hot water used for heating
3. Cooling – A 60 ton single-effect absorption chiller that
provides 40°F chilled water for comfort cooling of the
non-greenhouse spaces.
4. Carbon Dioxide – CO2 is delivered to the greenhouses
to maximize plant growth