AI gives US biogas plants a cleaner, faster future

Anessa’s AI predicts failures, boosts methane, and cuts downtime, fueling a smarter, faster future for US biogas plants.

9 Jun 2025

A quiet software upgrade is reshaping America’s waste-to-energy industry. In May, Anessa, a Canadian cleantech firm, launched an artificial intelligence platform designed to help biogas plants run more efficiently. As demand for renewable natural gas (RNG) grows and new subsidies approach, the timing is fortuitous.

The system uses real-time data from sensors inside digesters, the tanks where organic waste is broken down to produce biogas. Anessa’s AI analyses this data to predict system faults and suggest feedstock adjustments to increase methane output. It replaces rule-of-thumb decisions with automated precision.

The benefits are tangible. Higher gas yields and fewer shutdowns help plant operators compete for incentives such as California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard and the new 45Z production tax credit, which rewards low-emission fuels. “Think of it as switching from guesswork to GPS,” says one energy analyst. “Operators now have visibility that was unimaginable just a few years ago.”

The appeal goes beyond efficiency. Large RNG firms like Archaea Energy are using similar platforms to manage fleets of plants remotely, reducing the need for on-site staffing and improving transparency. For investors wary of overpromised returns and inconsistent performance, such visibility is welcome.

There are limitations. Many smaller or older facilities lack the infrastructure to support advanced monitoring. And some operators are hesitant to hand over key decisions to machines. But early results are softening resistance. As more plants adopt the technology, laggards may find it harder to compete.

The changes may seem technical, but the implications are wide-ranging. AI is not just helping biogas plants run better. It is making them more investible, more reliable and better suited to meet rising climate standards. That should give America’s organic waste a second, more valuable life.