Peaks Renewables teams up with biogas development to expand Renewable Energy production – BioEnergy Times

Strategic Investment in Renewable Energy and Sustainable Development

A new partnership has been formed between Peaks Renewables and Biogas Development to advance renewable natural gas (RNG) production at the Hidden Hollow Energy Landfill Gas Project in Boise, Idaho. Through a preferred equity investment, Peaks Renewables is facilitating the expansion and optimization of the facility, which is pivotal in converting landfill gas into a sustainable energy source. This initiative directly supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by fostering clean energy, promoting climate action, and building resilient infrastructure.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

The project is a direct contributor to ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. Key contributions include:

• Expanding distributed energy generation through the production of renewable natural gas.
• Improving energy reliability and resilience for Ada County and the surrounding region.
• Converting captured landfill gas into pipeline-quality RNG, diversifying the local energy portfolio with a dependable, renewable solution.

SDG 13: Climate Action

The initiative takes urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts by significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

1. The facility captures methane, a potent greenhouse gas, that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere from the decomposing waste at the Ada County Landfill.
2. By converting this captured gas into RNG, the project actively reduces the carbon footprint associated with both waste management and energy consumption.

SDG 11 & SDG 12: Sustainable Cities and Responsible Production

The Hidden Hollow Energy project exemplifies the principles of a circular economy, contributing to more sustainable communities and responsible consumption and production patterns.

• It transforms local waste, a liability, into a valuable energy resource, supporting local energy independence.
• This model demonstrates an innovative solution for waste management, turning a local problem into a component of a sustainable energy future.

SDG 8 & SDG 9: Economic Growth and Innovative Infrastructure

The investment and expansion of the facility stimulate local economic growth while building resilient and innovative infrastructure.

1. The project supports economic development in Idaho through investment and the creation of a valuable energy commodity.
2. It represents an advancement in energy infrastructure, showcasing how innovative technologies can turn wasted resources into assets that strengthen the energy grid.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The collaboration between Peaks Renewables and Biogas Development underscores the importance of partnerships in achieving sustainable development.

• This strategic alliance between two private sector entities is aimed at scaling up renewable energy solutions.
• The project serves as a model for how public-private partnerships can effectively drive progress toward a cleaner energy future and achieve shared sustainability objectives.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   • The article’s central theme is the production of renewable natural gas (RNG) from landfill gas. This directly supports the goal of ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. The project aims to “boost renewable gas production” and “advance dependable, renewable energy solutions.”

2. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • The project takes urgent action to combat climate change by capturing methane, a potent greenhouse gas, from a landfill. The article explicitly states that the project’s goals include to “cut emissions” and are “reducing carbon emissions.”

3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • The initiative addresses sustainable waste management within a community (Ada County). By “captur[ing] methane from decomposing waste at the Ada County Landfill,” the project reduces the adverse environmental impact of the city’s waste.

4. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • The project involves building and optimizing resilient infrastructure for clean energy production. It is described as an “innovative energy solution” that upgrades existing landfill infrastructure to create a new, sustainable industrial process.

5. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • The article highlights the project’s role in promoting sustainable economic growth. It is intended to “stimulate economic growth” and “support economic development” through investment and innovation in the renewable energy sector. The project is also a clear example of a “circular economy in action,” which decouples economic activity from environmental degradation.

6. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • The entire announcement is about a partnership between Peaks Renewables and Biogas Development. The article praises this collaboration, stating, “The Boise Landfill Gas Project is a model for how public and private partnerships can drive meaningful progress toward a cleaner energy future.”

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 7.2: Increase the share of renewable energy

   • The project’s primary purpose is to “boost renewable gas production” and convert landfill gas into “pipeline-quality RNG,” which is then added to the regional natural gas system, directly increasing the share of renewable energy in the local energy mix.

2. Target 11.6: Reduce the environmental impact of cities

   • The project directly addresses municipal waste management by capturing and converting gas from the “Ada County Landfill.” This process of “turning wasted resources into innovative energy solutions” reduces the landfill’s environmental footprint.

3. Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into policies and planning

   • This project is a tangible action that integrates climate change mitigation into local infrastructure and energy planning. By capturing methane to “cut emissions,” it serves as a practical implementation of climate action strategies.

4. Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and industries for sustainability

   • The investment is for the “continued expansion and optimization of the facility.” This represents an upgrade of infrastructure to make it more sustainable and efficient by adopting a clean technology that converts waste into a valuable resource.

5. Target 17.17: Encourage effective public-private partnerships

   • The article explicitly frames the collaboration between Peaks Renewables, Biogas Development, and the public Ada County Landfill as a “model for how public and private partnerships can drive meaningful progress,” directly reflecting the goal of this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Renewable Energy Production Volume (Implied for Target 7.2)

   • The article states the project is “boosting renewable gas production” and has been “producing renewable natural gas since early 2025.” The volume of RNG produced and injected into the grid would be a direct indicator of progress.

2. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduced (Implied for Target 13.2)

   • The stated goal to “cut emissions” and “reduc[e] carbon emissions” implies that the amount of methane captured and converted (measured in tonnes of CO2 equivalent) is a key performance indicator for the project’s climate impact.

3. Investment in Clean Energy (Implied for Target 9.4)

   • The “preferred equity investment” provided by Peaks Renewables is a financial indicator of investment in clean energy infrastructure and technology. The size and scope of this investment measure the commitment to upgrading and expanding the facility.

4. Waste Diversion/Resource Conversion Rate (Implied for Target 11.6)

   • The description of “converting waste into a valuable resource” implies that the amount of landfill gas captured and successfully converted into RNG can be measured. This would serve as an indicator of improved municipal waste management and resource efficiency.

Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: bioenergytimes.com