PILESGROVE TWP. — The township could be home to a new and unique facility that produces sustainable fuel and generates electricity using a water plant.

The Behrens Energy, Agriculture, and Robotics Group is behind the project and are hoping to put a pyramid-shaped greenhouse structure on a piece of land in Pilesgrove to create and sell electricity.

Power is created through a plant that floats on water — the duckweed.

Duckweed is converted into methane, which is then used for electricity. The greenhouse is self-sustaining and autonomous, CEO of B.E.A.R. Rudolph Behrens said.

“We are completely green, clean and sustainable. We consume no chemicals and produce no waste streams,” Behrens said.

The duckweed — a green flowering plant grown in pondwater — goes through a process until it is turned into bio-fuel which can then be used for home heating, or in trucks and tractors.

“We use special greenhouses where we culture duckweed and six other species of plants collected and turned into methane used in a solid generator that is completely silent. We redirect the exhaust gas back into the greenhouse and the cycle continues,” Behrens explained, adding that this cycle creates steady output 12 months per year.

If the project is eventually approved, B.E.A.R. would build their site and produce the bio-fuel and sell electricity to the grid right here in Pilesgrove.

At this time, the company has obtained a permit to send the electricity it produces out over the regional power grid.

Prior to the interconnect approval, the company also obtained an FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) license.

Behrens said last Friday that the next step is for the company to approach the township, describe the project and request approval as an agricultural use.

Depending on the outcome following approaching the planning board, there is a potential need for a variance or building permit.

However, Behrens said because the structure is that of a greenhouse, and used agriculturally, the design is considered a “temporary greenhouse” and does not produce wastes or chemical by-products.

“The way this works, you need someone with familiarity of agriculture to monitor the systems. Really, what you are monitoring is simple biology. Pilesgrove is a farming community so this would help everyone all the way around,” Behrens said.

Pilesgrove Mayor Kevin Eachus said Tuesday that methane is a good source of renewable energy and that officials will research further.

“It helps stabilize the ups and downs of electrical use and I’ve seen how in other states, sustainable energy is more widely being used,” Eachus said.

Additionally, if B.E.A.R. comes to Pilesgrove, the site will open up 10 full-time job positions that could be filled locally within the county or township.

Behrens wouldn’t say what property his company is eyeing in Pilesgrove.

Currently, B.E.A.R. has two locations — the headquarters in Limerick, Pa. and Monticello, N.Y.

Pilesgrove would be its third location and the only site in New Jersey.

“It was the ideal site. The weather patterns are good, and the property is not currently being farmed,” Behrens said.

While the location was not disclosed, Behrens did say that the location is on farm property under some power lines and is a very short run to interconnect to the power grid.

B.E.A.R. wanted to start constructing in the fall, but the officials now have a target goal to get things moving as early as January.

However, nothing is finalized at this time.

According to Behrens, the company is looking for funding to then decide how much equipment to order and how to tackle the start of the project The facility is constructed in increments of 10 megawatts capacity at a time The systems cost about $900,000 per Megawatt of installed capacity.

Behrens said the cost will vary depending on how much site work is needed. The CEO added that at this time, it is not clear how large they are planning to make the structure.

B.E.A.R. got its duckweed start in 2008 when they made a small system in a Navaho reservation in a remote area with no powerlines, according to Behrens. They worked to run the school’s electric with duckweed after it was running on gasoline, he said.

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Contact staff writer Brittany M. Wehner at 856-935-1500 or email bwehner@southjerseymedia.com