waste not, want not: on farm biodigesters

Waste Not, Want Not: Opportunities for Biodigesters on Farms,

and Barriers to Adoption

Your environmental voice since 1970 www.cleanwisconsin.org | Twitter: @cleanwisconsin

What are we talking about?


Sources: Des Moine Register; Warren Gretz, DOE/NREL; Iowa State University; pennlive.com; Sri Lanka Mirror

Outline

• Potential• Benefits• Barriers• Opportunity


60%

53%

47%

43%

21%

19%

13%

25%

36%

36%

42%

32%

34%

37%

5%

6%

10%

12%

21%

27%

6%

20%

17%

10%

32%

7%

6%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

*Wind

*Solar

Hydropower

Natural gas

*Biomass

Nuclear

Coal

Strng. Sup. S.W. Sup. S.W. Opp. Strng. Opp. DK/NA

In Wisconsin, majorities support increased use of wind and solar.

5a/b/c/d/e/f/i. Here is a list of specific sources of energy. Please tell me whether you would support or oppose increasing use of that source of energy to meet your state’s future needs. *Split Sample

Total Support

Total Oppose

85% 11%

89% 7%

83% 7%

85% 12%

53% 16%

53% 41%

50% 44%

What are biodigesters?


Source: Managing Manure with Biogas Recovery Systems: Improved Performance at Competitive Costs. EPA AgSTAR

http://www.epa.gov/agstar/documents/manage.pdf


Source: EPA AgStar Program

Europe

Source: Country Report of Member Countries, Istanbul, April 2011. IEA Bioenergy Task 37.


http://www.iea-biogas.net/_content/publications/member-country-reports.html

Map of WI digesters

Mostly on large farms

Benefits


GHG emissions

Methane is 23 times more potent than

Carbon Dioxide

Nutrient loading

orphosphorus

pollution

Energy Future

Why might a farmer

install a biodigester?


EnergyProduction

Consistent electricity

Avoided propane costs

Revenue

Bedding

Photo credit: GHD, Inc.

Screen shot of Cornell study on bedding costs

Photo credit: Clear Horizons, LLC

Bedding

Handling waste

Economic Development and JOBS

State Wind Solar Geo

Biomass Total

California 12,800 19,550 3,400 2,480 38,250

Illinois 12,000 7,700 1,360 1,500 22,640

Wisconsin 10,000 1,900 815 1,190 14,060

Michigan 9,750 2,657 600 914 13,900

N. Carolina 4,400 4,423 1,100 1,480 11,400

Wisconsin ranks 8th in renewable component job creation

Why Aren’t We There Yet?Barriers to Adoption of Small-

Scale Biodigesters in Wisconsin


Operating Manure Digesters in the US

• Wisconsin leads the nation - NY is 2nd

• 79% of manure digesters are on dairy farms

US EPA, DOA, DOE: AgSTAR Program, “U.S. Anaerobic Digester Status Report.” October 2010.

Biodigesters in Wisconsin

•Total of 38 farms with operating or proposed digesters

J Schultz, “Wisconsin Farm Biogas Development.” GDS Associates, Inc.

Dairy Operations in Wisconsin• Thousands of dairy farms represent a

significant potential

Data from: USDA, NASS, WI FO

Technology Adoption Curve

Capital Costs for Dairy Biodigesters

• Cost per head can increase quickly for smaller dairies

• Different technologies may be more economic for different size dairies

US EPA, DOA, DOE: AgSTAR Program, “Anaerobic Digestion Capital Costs for Dairy Farms.” May 2010.

Specific Reasons Noted Not to Install

• Economic, technical, and regulatory barriers top list

• Increased experience, information may address many issues

• In New York survey, 44% said didn’t know if digesters were a viable option for most dairies- 31% said not viable,- Only 12% said viable

State of New York (2009), Data from: C Gooch and J Pronto, “Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy; Dairy Power Project.” Dairy Power Project Summit, 2009. PRO-DAIRY Program, Cornell University

Perceived Barriers to Adoption

• Different challenges noted by those who have/ haven’t installed digesters

- Non-cost issues may be under-recognized by those who haven’t installed

State of New York (2009), Data from: C Gooch and J Pronto, “Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy; Dairy Power Project.” Dairy Power Project Summit, 2009. PRO-DAIRY Program, Cornell University

Market Saturation Curve

Current Opportunities

• Watershed Adaptive Management Option under the new Phosphorus Rules

• Community Digesters

• Modular Systems

Policy Opportunities

• Third Party Purchase Power Agreements• Net Metering• Feed-in Tariffs• Enhanced Renewable Energy Standard• Focus on Energy• Interconnection• PACE• Renewable Fuel Standard

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Katy [email protected] ext. 28

Tyson Cook [email protected]

608-251-7020 ext. 27

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waste not, want not: on farm biodigesters

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