Meeting the world’s increasing demand for energy will take innovative solutions, including the development of renewable energy sources. Wind, solar and hydropower may be garnering most of the headlines today. But one of the most dependable sources of renewable energy is our nation’s 9 million dairy cows and their natural byproduct of manure, which is the second-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the fluid milk supply chain.
Opportunity: turning manure methane into energy
Anaerobic digestion technologies, where bacteria decompose the organic matter in the absence of oxygen, convert the manure into biogas for use both on and off the farm. Biogas production can reduce a farm’s energy costs, provide communities with a renewable energy source, and offer farmers an additional revenue stream from the sale of the energy. Eliminating the methane emissions also reduces the odors normally associated with manure.
Download the Dairy Power Opportunity Analysis and the corresponding Reference Guide.
Solution: facilitate wider adoption of methane digesters
A small number of farms in the U.S. and Europe are already using methane digesters. The biogas can be used on-farm for cooking, heating, lighting and cooling. Farmers also can sell the biogas to utilities, where it is converted into steam or electricity to help power the local community. For example, 1,200 cows at Blue Spruce Farm in Vermont supply enough electricity for 4,000 nearby homes and businesses.1 And if a digester were running at just 2,600 farms across the country, the power generated would equal that of nearly 9,000 wind turbines2 and could power the entire state of Hawaii.3
While methane digesters hold great environmental and economic potential, their adoption in the U.S. is challenged by technology application, high-capital outlays, regulatory barriers and limited financing programs.
Collaborators: academics + NGOs + retailers
+ industry + government
The Dairy Power team includes more than 100 members from leading institutions, such as Cornell University, University of California-Davis, World Wildlife Fund, Walmart, Dean Foods, Dairy Farmers of America, National Milk Producers Federation and the USDA.
Project goals and milestones
The milk production segment of the U.S. dairy supply chain contributes 51.5 percent to the fluid milk carbon footprint. Dairy Power will help achieve the Dairy 2020 goal to reduce this by 27 percent.
The goal of this project is to spur significant adoption of methane digesters by U.S. dairy farmers. Working with existing regional and national programs, the project will address existing barriers, such as technology and financing.
Phase 1: Stakeholder Engagement Summit in New York
Bring together 200 stakeholders to set goals and identify an action plan to accelerate adoption of methane digesters in New York state. Summit attendees set a 2020 goal that 40 percent of all manure from New York dairy farms goes through the anaerobic digestion process. 2009
Phase 2: Facilitate Access to Resources and Financing
Helping farmers secure access to information and economic support is imperative.Work with USDA to connect farmers to tools and resources, including AgSTAR; and explore innovative financing vehicles such as loan guarantees and tax-exempt bonds. 2010-2011
Phase 3: Develop Rural Electric Cooperative Partnerships
Partner with the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association to explore cooperative models that support digester-generated electricity and connections to the nation’s power grid.
Resources
The Dairy Power team recently conducted a webinar with USDA Rural Development on the recently-announced REAP Feasibility Grant Program, which closes October 5, 2011.
1Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy. Sustainability in Practice, 2010. USDairy.com/Sustainability.
2Based on 350,000 kWh for each 250 kW wind turbine. Source: American Wind Energy Association.
3Based on 11,965 kWh per U.S. household. Source: Environmental Protection Agency.