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A new solution for an old-age problem: biosolids as a renewable energy resource

Speaker: Dr. Homayoun Moghaddam, Division Manager and Director, Regulatory Affairs of the City of Los Angeles. Dept. of Public Works

Talk Title: A new solution for an old-age problem: biosolids as a renewable energy resource

Abstract: Terminal Island Renewable Energy (T.I.R.E.) Project


The Terminal Island Renewable Energy project (T.I.R.E.) Project is the nation's first and only full scale application of deep well injection technology to convert wastewater residual solids, biosolids into green power while simultaneously sequestering greenhouse gases. The earth's high temperature biodegrades the organic compounds to generate methane for producing renewable energy.

The City of Los Angeles and it partners, GeoEnvironment Technologies, and the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA) has embarked on a new innovative technology to convert a valuable organic resource biosolids into clean energy by deep well injection and geothermal biodegradation. The T.I.R.E uses depleted subsurface oil and gas formations where the earth’s high temperature would biodegrade the organic compounds to generate methane gas that can ultimately be used to produce a safe renewable energy. The TIRE project is a five-year demonstration project and has been in operation for over 2 years. So far, large quantities of gallons of bio-slurry which includes wastewater by-products such as brine, treated effluent, digested sludge, and biosolids have been successfully injected. A monitoring system provides real-time data on the subsurface activities, including seismic, to a Technical Advisory Committee for evaluation.


There are the environmental benefits that come from the local subsurface anaerobic treatment and sterilization of biosolids in a confined environment. The biodegradation of the injected biosolids and brine as a slurry ultimately produces methane that is captured to generate green energy, and carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, that is sequestered. Also other air contaminants (NOX and CO) are reduced and potentially the discharge of concentrated brine to the Los Angeles harbor is eliminated.

The T.I.R.E. project provides an innovative solution to an environmental challenge, while simultaneously providing economic and environmental benefits. The project outcomes are a diversified biosolids management program that saves money while producing positive environmental results. The project improves air quality, protects water quality, and reduces the greenhouse gases. The most important achievement of TIRE project is introducing an innovative way to utilize wastewater treatment byproducts as a renewable resource in an environmentally safe manner.




Biography: Homayoun R. Moghaddam, Ph.D.

•30 years of experience in the areas of power, refinery, gas plants, water & wastewater, biomass, biogas, renewable energy technologies, climate change and Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) issue, air quality and biosolids management, and regulatory and legislative affairs.

•27 years with the City of Los Angeles. Started his City career with the Department of Building & Safety. Promoted to Los Angeles Dept. of Water & Power, and has been with the Department

Currently: Division Manager and Director of Regulatory Affairs of the City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works.

Location: Kaprielian Hall (KAP) - 209

Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

Contact: Evangeline Reyes