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Anaerobic Digesters and Other Biomass Options
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 Anaerobic digesters convert biomass material into energy. Digesters have both environmental and economic benefits — reducing odors from livestock manure, preventing the release of greenhouses gases, producing energy and heat, and reducing labor costs associated with manure removal.
Biomass energy can also be generated from the direct combustion or gasification of agricultural products and forest waste material. The most primitive form of biomass energy production is burning organic material in open fires. Better efficiency is available through modern wood and pellet stoves. The term "co-firing" refers to the practice of burning biomass material along with coal in a coal-fired electricity-generating power plant. Biomass material can also be gasified and turned into various fuels.
NOTE: Some of the following documents are available as Adobe Acrobat
PDFs. Download
Acrobat Reader.
ATTRA Publications
Other Publications
Methane Recovery from Animal Manures: The Current Opportunities Casebook
A 150 page report from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory that covers the history, economic evaluation, case studies and installer contacts for anaerobic digesters.
[PDF / 2.7M]
Market Opportunities for Biogas Recovery Systems
This guide from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency identifies states with the greatest opportunity to cost effectively install and operate biogas recovery systems using dairy and swine manure. [PDF / 256K]
The Economics and Feasibility of Electricity Generation Using Manure Digesters on Small and Mid-size Dairy Farms
A 21 page report from the University of Wisconsin , Madison that addresses the economics of anaerobic digesters/generators. [PDF / 256K]
Dairy Waste Anaerobic Digestion Handbook
From the Environmental Energy Company, this 57 page report addresses anaerobic digestion options specific to dairy operations. [PDF / 1.13M]
Turning Manure Into Gold: Converting Agricultural Waste to Energy
A 48 page report prepared by the Midwest Energy Research Center that includes case studies, permit and approval guidance and a list of consultants, designers and equipment manufacturers. [PDF / 276K]
AgSTAR Digest
Archived issues from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Success Stories
Minnesota Dairy Uses Anaerobic Digester for Farm Power
Iowa Pig Farm Anaerobic Digester Report [PDF/ 288K]
Vermont Farm Converts Manure into Energy
Iowa Dairy Operation Profits from Anaerobic Digester [PDF / 76K]
Minnesota City Builds 50 MW-Biomass Fueled Power Plant
Colorado Biomass Facility Convert Forest Waste into Energy
Tripling American Biomass Production Could Create $20 Billion in New Rural Income
Links
Renewable Energy Policy Project: Bioenergy
A comprehensive information source for bioenergy including biomass types, ways to generate electricity, costs of bioenergy and current policies.
University of Nebraska: Manure Matters Website
Includes monthly newsletter archives, livestock odor and emissions modeling database and links to other related resources. [PDF / 180KB]
How Biomass Energy Works
This article by the Union of Concerned Scientists details the types, production methods and applications of biomass energy.
The Minnesota Project
This website focuses on farm-related application of renewable energy technologies, particularly biogas and methane digesters.
The AgSTAR Program
The Federal AgSTAR program encourages the use of methane recovery (biogas) technologies at confined animal feeding operations that manage manure as liquids or slurries.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s (NREL): Biomass Energy
NREL supports research and development efforts on biomass energy technologies. This website offers information on recent biomass energy initiatives at the laboratory.
The Carbohydrate Economy Clearinghouse
This website, produced by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, offers information on biomass and biofuel technologies, and other aspects of the "carbohydrate economy."
Treepower
This website by the Common Purpose Institute provides information on a variety of biomass energy sources.
Midwest Rural Energy Council
A membership organization with Land Grant Universities in the upper Midwest, MREC's mission is to support outreach, education and research on rural energy issues.
Fresh Energy: Biomass Energy Resources
Includes a section of biomass resources, with news, publications and links.
USDA Bioenergy and Energy Alternatives
Seeks to create jobs and economic activity in America, reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil, and improve the environment by developing alternate energy sources and increasing the use of agricultural crops as feedstocks for biofuels.
Sun Grant Initiative
A national network of land-grant universities and U.S. Department of Energy laboratories, the Sun Grant Initiative is devoted to building a bio-based economy, including research, higher education, and Extension programs.
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Last Updated December 28, 2007
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