Tim Tiscornia

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Optimizing Energy Sustainability with On-Site Anaerobic Digestion

Tim Tiscornia, CEO, Chomp

How on-site anaerobic digestion can be an ideal solution to convert food waste into renewable energy at the source of generation and energy use. 

Electrifying our energy infrastructure is a potent method for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, though not all sectors can easily shift from fossil fuels to renewable electricity. Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) is vital in decarbonizing these entrenched fossil fuel dependencies.    Currently, RNG is delivered through biomethane from large dairy and landfill gas projects to nearby pipelines. However, there's a remarkable opportunity for decentralized, smaller-scale anaerobic digesters (AD) that process high-energy food waste locally. This approach brings economic and environmental benefits like eliminating waste transport, on-site energy production, and high-nutrient biofertilizer for local agriculture. It also allows quick project deployment, risk diversification, and geographical variation.    Implementing on-site AD and community composting supports circular economies by retaining resources and capital locally. Utilizing non-edible food waste directly at the source is an efficient way to harness this high-energy waste. In New York alone, about 1 million tons of excess food waste could be digested or composted, potentially generating around 5,000,000 MMBtu/yr in bioenergy for on-site use, including electricity, Combined Heat and Power (CHP), thermal applications, or Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicle fuel.    Effective clean energy and waste policies can bolster financially challenged yet commercially viable solutions. A combination of strategies involving food repurposing, large and small-scale AD, enhanced composting, and more will improve waste management and expedite the decarbonization of the energy sector.

Tim’s career includes building teams and driving results at established tech giants such as Intel and Microsoft as well as a variety of start-ups including Cozi, which sold to Time Inc. His passion for creating dynamic and rewarding experiences for team members is only rivaled by that for the outdoors and his family. Tim is an avid waterman who spends every free minute either in the water surfing, pursuing all forms of foiling, boating, scuba diving, or on snow skiing and snowboarding. It is this connection to nature that fuels his commitment to waste reduction and the preservation of our climate.