Woodstock WWTP Biogas Utilization Project

Status: Review

 

Purpose

Oxford County is undertaking a biogas utilization upgrade at the Woodstock Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) as part of the County’s 100% Renewable Energy Plan. This project will implement a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) system to generate heat and electricity from biogas produced at the WWTP, thereby decreasing the WWTP’s dependence on the energy grid.

 

Scope

Pursuant to the Act and Regulation, the facility, in respect of which the project is to be engaged in, is considered to be an Anaerobic Digestion Facility Class 3. If approved, this facility would have a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) system total maximum name plate capacity of 250 kW.

This new CHP system will offset 40% of the grid electricity used at the WWTP, and 39% of the heat energy requirement at WWTP. This project will reduce the annual greenhouse gas emission for heat and electricity at the WWTP by 58%.

The proposed CHP system will be situated within the current footprint of the WWTP, specifically at its northeast corner. The project does not involve any modifications or upgrades to existing digesters or other active components of the WWTP. Instead, the proposed CHP system will exclusively utilize biogas already produced from existing digesters.

The introduction of a CHP system at the Woodstock WWTP is anticipated to yield significant environmental benefits. By harnessing renewable energy sources for electricity production, the project aims to mitigate the facility’s carbon footprint, alleviating pressure on the energy grid and consequently reducing greenhouse gas emissions from conventional power generation facilities. Moreover, the facility’s emphasis on utilizing biogas for heat generation, rather than relying on natural gas combustion, further enhances its sustainability efforts and contributes to the reduction of its overall carbon footprint.

 

Public consultation

Public, Indigenous communities, and agency consultation are key components of the renewable energy approval process, and input will be sought throughout the project implementation.

The first hybrid public meeting was held on October 29, 2024, to share information about the project. Watch the video recording | Read the public notice

The second hybrid public meeting was held on February 25, 2025, to share information about the project. Watch the video recording | Read the public notice

 

Study documents

     
Project contacts

Nathan Gerber
Coordinator, Energy Management
Oxford County
519-539-9800 ext. 3240 | Email contact

Sean Speer
Senior Environmental Engineer
J.L. Richards & Associates (JLR)
226-770-5120 | Email contact

Kerry Tuyen
Director of Innovation, Technology and Alternate Delivery
Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA)
905-301-1957 | Email contact