Raleighnc.gov logo
Thank you for printing this page from the City of Raleigh's Official Website (www.raleighnc.gov)
https://raleighnc.gov/projects/bioenergy-recovery-project
10/16/2025 11:49 am

BRP_View

Bioenergy Recovery Project

Neuse River Resource Recovery Facility

Updated: Oct 16, 2025

The Bioenergy Recovery Project offers a new way to manage waste byproducts at the Neuse River Resource Recovery Facility, which is the main wastewater treatment plant for the city. Currently, the waste byproducts, referred to as biosolids, are thoroughly treated at the Neuse River Resource Recovery Facility before they are used in local agricultural fields or taken away by a contractor. However, because the biosolids handling equipment is old and needs to be replaced, along with the expected rise in biosolids volume due to future development, a new treatment system is necessary.

For more information, please visit our project page. 
 

Project Details

 
Type:
Water and Sewer
Budget:
$227,163,000
Project Lead:
Crowder Construction Company (Construction Manager) and Hazen & Black & Veatch (Engineer of Record)

Contact

 

Edward Stempien, PE
Senior Project Administrator
Phone: 919-996-3490 
Office Location: 1 Exchange Plaza Suite 620
Raleigh, NC 27601 

Lead Department:
Water
Participating Department:
Sustainability

Subscribe

 

Pre-Approval

This phase is complete.

Lead Department:
Water

Programmed

This phase is complete.

Lead Department:
Water

Planning

This phase is complete.

Lead Department:
Water

Design

This phase is complete.

Lead Department:
Water

Right of Way Acquisition

This phase is complete.

Lead Department:
Water

Construction

The Bioenergy Recovery Project has begun processing anaerobic sludge using the new thermal hydrolysis method. This improved anaerobic digestion is cutting the final solids output by more than 50 percent compared to past production levels. 

The plant team is working on optimizing the process and completing the necessary permits for the renewable natural gas cleaning and compression system. 

The Sidestream process, which treats wastewater from the new treatment system while significantly reducing chemical and energy consumption, is now in the commissioning stage, which can take up to 9 months to develop the required microorganisms for the process. 

The project started in spring 2019 and is expected to finish in summer 2025.

New Pump Station Construction 

New Pump Station Construction 

New Thickening Building Construction

New Thickening Building Construction

New Digester Building Construction

New Digester Building Construction

Thermal Tanks

Thermal Hydrolysis Process System 

Thermal Tanks

Thermal Hydrolysis Process System

Digester Tank Electrical Slab

New Digester Building with Control Area

Digester Control Building

Digester Control Building Construction

Bioenergy
Bioenergy2
Bioenergy3
BRP_Pipes
BRP_Pipes_2
Flame_RS
Campus_RS
Lead Department:
Water

Complete

The Bioenergy Recovery Project has completed its work on a new anaerobic process that uses a unique thermal hydrolysis method. This advanced anaerobic digestion technique reduces the final biosolids produced by over 50 percent compared to earlier amounts. 

The project began in spring 2019 and was completed in summer 2025, culminating in a ribbon-cutting ceremony in fall 2025.

Lead Department:
Water

History

Funding for the project comes in part from a sustainable energy grant awarded by the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. Additionally, the City of Raleigh qualified for a 0% interest loan for the project which will result in a savings of over $25 million. Also, an anticipated 48% reduction in the volume of solids produced will significantly reduce the transportation cost of solids removal. The energy process upgrades will also generate natural gas for the City of Raleigh's natural gas bus fleet. City of Raleigh Public Utilities Department, now also known as ‘Raleigh Water’, was recognized on November 18, 2019 as an Exceptional Project Honoree by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through their Clean Water State Revolving Fund for the Bioenergy Recovery Project. The Bioenergy Recovery Project team completed the equipment procurement and initial bid stage. Staff agreed on a services scope and fee covering the early earth work removal. A 'Notice To Proceed' was issued to the construction manager on July 29, 2019. Early earth work is now at 100% completion for this project. Construction for the Thickening Rehabilitation building, Screening and Pre-conditioning building and Thermal Hydrolysis and Anaerobic Digestion tanks began in January 2020. 

Schedule

DateActivity
Summer 2019Project Design Complete
OngoingPermitting Complete
N/AEasement Acquisition Complete
Summer 2019Project Bid Complete
Summer 2019Project Construction Begins
Summer 2025Project Construction Complete

Related Projects

  All projects