Dr. Ryan Ziels, Associate Professor in UBC Civil Engineering, is collaborating with FortisBC on a research project focused on improving renewable natural gas (RNG) production from organic waste. The project is supported by FortisBC’s Clean Growth Innovation Fund, which helps advance low-carbon energy solutions across the province.
Dr. Ziels and his team are studying how to apply renewable electricity to anaerobic digesters to stimulate specific microbial communities. The goal is to increase the amount of RNG that can be produced from the same volume of waste—improving system efficiency and exploring the potential for digesters to act as flexible energy storage units.
We’re exploring how to harness beneficial microbial communities in a way that enhances RNG production from existing digesters,” says Dr. Ziels. “This collaboration with FortisBC is helping to drive RNG innovation with real-world impact.
The project is part of a broader set of research initiatives funded by FortisBC through its Clean Growth Innovation Fund. Since 2020, the fund has supported collaborations with academic and industry partners focused on reducing emissions and testing new approaches to energy production and delivery.
