The production of electricity or biogas from manure is an area of alternative-energy interest to many livestock producers. But is it feasible and what is the cost of this energy production? A new major report from the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) published in October 2007 is perhaps the first in-depth analysis of the costs of anaerobic digester systems compared to conventionally purchased electricity, natural gas and liquid propane. The report discusses strategies for reducing the cost of anaerobic digester operations, as well as the economic advantages of employing these systems in remote locations where the costs of conventional energy are higher. The researchers found that in most situations in the United States that anaerobic digester systems could produce energy for many livestock operations at a cost competitive with or below commercial natural gas prices.
The report was a collaborative effort of the USDA-NRCS and several major U.S. university research teams. The report was compiled and authored by: Jennifer Beddoes, NRCS, Meridian, ID; Kelsi Bracemort, NRCS, Washington, D.C.; Robert Burns, Iowa State University; and William Lazarus, University of Minnesota. Various projects and analysis efforts that created the core of publication were produced by: Noller Herbert, NRCS, Washington, D.C.; William Boyd, NRCS, Greensboro, NC; Peter Wright, NRCS, Syracuse, NY; Conley Hansen, Utah State University; Raj Raman, Iowa State University; and Barry Kintzer, NRCS, Washington, D.C.
Sources
Anaerobic Digesters: Methane to Energy A Statewide Assessment - Survey of various systems in place and being used in Wisconsin with operating and capital cost information.
An Analysis of Energy Production Costs from Anaerobic Digestion Systems on U.S. Livestock Production Facilities, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA, 2007.
Managing Manure with Biogas Recovery Systems. Improved Performance at Competitive Costs, Environmental Protection Agency, 2002.