West Coast Operator - February 2019

3-Day West Coast Digester Operator Training Course
  • Location: San Francisco Bay Area
  • Dates: February 26-28, 2019 
  • Member Fee: $1600
  • Non-Member Fee: $1,900
  • Includes: Lunches, various refreshments, and transportation

Register Today

About Training

After the success of ABC’s first 3-Day Operator Training Course last February in San Francisco, CA, we are bringing a second 3-Day Operator Training for 2019! This February the ABC is providing an intensive operator training class for digester operators, operations managers, owners and developers. This hands-on, 3-day class will take place at multiple locations throughout the San Francisco Bay area, from South San Francisco to San Jose and the East Bay. Each class day will be filled with both classroom training and hands on participation at different operating digester sites. Transportation will be provided to each classroom and digester site from the preferred hotel.

Training Topics

Day 1
  • Introduction to the Science of AD
  • Chemistry for Digesters
  • Math for Digesters
  • Blue Line Biogenic CNG Site Visit
Day 2
  • More Math for Digesters Overview
  • Gas upgrading
    • RNG Standards
    • H2S Removal
    • High/Medium BTU
    • Compression, Injection and Odorizing
  • Zero Waste Energy Development Site Visit
Day 3
  • Engines
  • Coarse and Fine Solids Separation
  • Digestate Certification
  • Nutrient Recovery
  • East Bay Municipal Utility District Site Visit

Instructors

Bernie Sheff, PE – Montrose Environmental Group

Bernie Sheff holds both Bachelors and Masters of Science in Civil Engineering from Michigan State University. He has been a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Michigan since 1988 and is also registered in the states of Massachusetts, Ohio and Indiana. He started his career with STS Consultants (STS) in 1984 as an assistant project engineer. He became the VP of the Michigan region for STS and completed his first digestion project as part of a 1 MGD wastewater treatment facility in 1991. This facility a large beef abattoir in SW Michigan was one of many projects in the animal processing arena including systems at duck, chicken and hog operations.

Since early 2000 he has focused on nutrient recovery, sand separation and digestion in the agricultural market, most significantly the dairy industry and the co-digestion of residuals from confined feeding operations and food processing residuals. Bernie has served as the Chairman of the American Biogas Council for the last 5 years. In 2015, he became Vice President of Engineering for the Montrose Environmental Group.

Dr. Craig Frear – Regenis 

Craig Frear is Director of Research and Technology at Regenis, a premier farm-based anaerobic digester construction management and operations company. Previously with Washington State University (WSU), he was instrumental in developing one of the nation’s most prolific applied science and engineering programs in organic residuals and animal manure treatment for sustainable reuse. He has authored more than seventy peer-reviewed journal and extension papers while an inventor on eight US patents. He holds a Ph.D. in Engineering Science from Washington State University, a master’s in Educational Administration from Columbia University, and a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and Theology from St. Olaf College. Craig presently serves on the Board of the American Biogas Council.

Dan Waineo – Montrose Environmental Group 

Mr. Waineo has 24 years of experience with a background in process engineering and environmental engineering. He is responsible for the design of landfill extraction systems, LFG and digester gas to Energy Systems, Gas Processing and compressor systems related to the landfill and digester industries at numerous sites throughout the United States. Mr. Waineo has designed numerous biogas upgrading systems including TSA siloxane treatment systems, iron chelate hydrogen sulfide treatment systems, condensate control systems, compressor systems, gas dehydration systems, PSA gas processing systems, Selexol processing systems, Membrane systems, Cryogenic NRUs, Glycol dehydration systems, Amine treatment systems, methane protection systems for buildings, electrical control systems, SCADA systems, and has been responsible for modifications to numerous existing collection/control systems.

Training Schedule

Tuesday, February 26
Before 8:00a Breakfast on your own/at hotel (complimentary for guests)
8:00a – 9:00a Bus from hotel to classroom: Blue Line Biogenic CNG Facility
9:00a – 11:45a

Classroom instruction at Blue Line Biogenic CNG Facility

500 E Jamie Ct
South San Francisco, CA 94080

11:45a – 12:45p Catered Lunch, Networking
12:45p – 2:00p Additional classroom instruction
2:00p – 4:30p Site Visit: Blue Line Biogenic CNG Facility
4:30p – 5:15p Bus from site to hotel
5:30p – 6:15p Dinner on your own
Wednesday, February 27
Before 8:00a Breakfast on your own/at hotel (complimentary for guests)
8:00a – 9:00a Bus from hotel to classroom
9:00a – 12:00p

Classroom Instruction at San Jose Environmental Innovation Center

1608 Las Plumas Ave
San Jose, CA 95133

12:00p – 12:45p Catered Lunch, Networking
12:45p – 1:30p Additional classroom instruction
1:30p – 2:00p Bus from classroom to site
2:00p – 4:30p

Site Visit: Zero Waste Energy Development Company

685 Los Esteros Road
San Jose, CA 95134

4:30p – 5:30p Bus from site to hotel
6:00p – 7:30p Dinner on your own
Thursday, February 28
Before 8:00a Breakfast on your own/at hotel (complimentary for guests)
8:00a – 8:45a Bus from hotel to classroom
9:00a – 12:00p

Classroom instruction at East Bay Muncipal Utility District (EBMUD)

2020 Wake Avenue
Oakland, CA 94607

12:00p – 1:00p Catered Lunch, Networking
1:00p – 3:30p Site Visit: East Bay Municipal Utility District
3:30p – 4:00p Training completed! Bus will make one trip from EBMUD to Oakland airport

Travel Logistics

Preferred Hotel: Best Western Plus Grosvenor Airport Hotel | 380 S Airport Boulevard |South San Francisco, California 94080. Call the hotel at 650-873-3200 or 1-800-722-714. We strongly urge you to stay at this hotel. The bus will be picking up and dropping off participants at this location. If you stay at another hotel, you must get to this hotel before the bus leavers or arrive at the first classroom training location each day before the bus arrives.

Airport: San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the closest Airport at 3 miles away from the Best Western Plus Grosvenor Airport Hotel. Your trip from the SFO to the Best Western is estimated to take about 5 minutes.

Recommended Dress Code: No need to dress up. Wear jeans, shoes/boots (closed-toe shoes are mandatory) for being at a digester.