Leftovers get new lease on life

Ready to FOGO: Next step to a greener future

Household leftovers could be the answer to generating more renewable energy.

A Logan City Council study, run in partnership with the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and the University of Queensland, will investigate the feasibility of converting food and green organic (FOGO) waste into biomethane gas (a potential energy source), biochar and prill (pelletised fertiliser).

The study, announced today, follows the success of Council’s Australian-first biosolids gasification facility, which converts biosolids (sewage sludge) into energy and fertiliser.

The innovative technology, in operation at the Loganholme Wastewater Treatment Plant, was designed and delivered by Council’s water business, Logan Water.

Logan Water will lead the trial to enhance the technology to utilise FOGO as an energy source.

The gasification facility opened in April 2022. It is significantly reducing Council’s carbon emissions and saving millions of dollars per year in biosolid waste disposal.

Treatment of FOGO waste could reduce carbon emissions caused by methane emissions at Council’s landfill sites and provide another important source of bioenergy.

The study is jointly funded by Council and ARENA, which also co-funded the gasification facility.

Mayor Darren Power said the FOGO study was another exciting milestone in Council’s sustainability journey.

“Logan City Council is already leading the way in cost-effective, sustainable waste disposal, having pioneered the gasification of biosolids in Australia.

“With our proven technology already in place, the repurposing of FOGO waste is the next logical step.

“We are not afraid to dream big when it comes to providing a cleaner, green future for everyone.”

Results from Logan City Council’s FOGO feasibility study will be available in 2024.

Longer term, the results could support Council’s application to the Queensland Government’s recently announced GROW FOGO program.

The program will help local governments fund the rollout of lime-green lidded ‘organics’ bins and kitchen food waste caddies across South East Queensland.

Logan City Council’s FOGO feasibility study is the first of its kind funded under ARENA’s Industrial Energy Transformation Studies program (IETS), which supports pioneering energy projects nationwide.