From municipal waste to energy

REYNOLDS, Ind. (WLFI) - It's been quiet in Bio Town, USA for a reason.

Town Board President Charlie VanVoorst said after a few failed attempts at producing energy from animal and other farm waste, they believe they've found the answer to putting power on the grid instead of taking it off.

But, the slowed work in Reynolds should not be confused with a lack of funding from the state.  VanVoorst said the governor never promised to build Bio Town, USA alone.

"From day one he always said, we don't want the government to subsidize this, we don't want the government to pay this. We want private money to come in. Show that you can do this," said VanVoorst.

Some of the first Bio Town plans included converting corn stalks to electricity and taking animal manure, like hogs, and changing that into electricity as well. VanVoorst said both failed due to a lack of finances. Now, human waste is the latest test for clean energy.

The town of Reynolds stepped in to complete the work of Bio Town, instead of the Authority, in order to get the ball rolling again.  VanVoorst, who is a former Bio Town Authority member, said the town is working with Algaewheel founder and Chief Operating Officer Chris Limcaco.  He said he expects the partnership to work out well because there are no meetings for information to get hung up in, like with the Authority.

Project Engineer Fred Akers said the ground was broken on the project, located at 100 West and U.S. 24 in May. 

"There's actually going to be another building sitting on top of these," said Akers.

Akers said the way it works is waste will travel from the town's sewer system and go directly to the algaewheel process.  The green house-like system uses one thousand rotating wheels, with algae on the exterior, to treat waste water using half the energy and less greenhouse gas emissions.

  Akers said the Algaewheel will intercept the old lagoon method currently used in Reynolds.

VanVoorst said this will help sewage rates.

"We're hoping to be able to at least keep them where they're at or lower them," said VanVoorst.

The hope is that Algaewheel will be just the thing BioTown needs to get up and running, according to VanVoorst.

For an opportunity to check out a model of the Algaewheel, it will be showcased at the Town Festival in Reynolds.  The event will be held all day Saturday, September 12 at the Community Center.