This Biogas module provides reasonable expectations for investing in on-farm bio-digesters to convert animal waste to process heat and/or electricity. Learn how to calculate the number of animals needed to build a cost effective system.
Link to all of the Northeast Farm Energy IQ Curriculum, developed by Extension specialists from Penn State, Rutgers and University of Vermont.
This is part of the On Farm Energy Production Curriculum Series:
Bioenergy Feedstock Production | Biodiesel and SVO | Biogas | Wood and Grass Pellets | Solar Electric and Thermal | Wind Power
This module includes:
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Graphic: spart energy partnersBiogas – Module Overview.pdf – instructions for presentations to Ag Service Providers (ASP) and Farmers
- Biogas – ASP Presentation.pdf
- Biogas – ASP Presentation Outline.pdf
- Biogas – ASP Handouts.pdf
- Video of ASP presentation: On farm Biogas – Ed Johnstonbaugh; by Rutgers CPE Media Productions
- Biogas – Farmer Presentation.pdf
- Biogas – Farmer Presentation Outline.pdf
- Biogas – Farmer Handouts.pdf
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Educational Materials for educators, service providers, and farmers:
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Anaerobic Digesters and Methane Production… Questions that need to be asked and answered before investing your money.
Discovery Farms, University of Wisconsin-Extension publication A3766 (2001). - Case Studies
- Craven Farms Digester Case Study.pdf, Oregon Office of Energy (1998)
- Cornell University – Anaerobic Digestion Case Studies
- Pennsylvania Digester Case Studies
- Biogas Economic Assessment Tool 1 – Brent Gloy, Cornell Biogas Economic Assessment Tools (2008)
- A Digester for the 125 Cow Dairy: Fact or Fiction? Presentation at Midwest Manure Summit (2010); M. Charles Gould, Michigan State University-Extension.
- Energy Yields from a Farm-Based Anaerobic Digestion System; Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Infosheet gives the basic information required to calculate the type, amount and economic value of energy that could be expected to be produced from a farm-based anaerobic digestion system. It also provides an example of an energy balance for a digester.
- Additional reading on Farm Energy Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas – eXtension.org fact sheets:
- Introduction to Biogas and Anaerobic Digestion
- Anaerobic Digesters and Biogas Safety
- Types of Anaerobic Digesters
- Feedstocks for Biogas
- Processing Biomass Into Biogas
- Biogas Utilization and Cleanup
- Environmental Benefits of Anaerobic Digestion
- Pathogen Reduction in Anaerobic Digestion of Manure
- Transformation and Agronomic Use of Nutrients From Digester Effluent
- Uses of Solids and By-Products of Anaerobic Digestion
- Economics of Anaerobic Digesters for Processing Animal Manure
- Anaerobic Digestion Online Course – BIOENERGY Training Center and eXtension.org – Modules on: Introduction; Factors that Affect AD; Types of AD; Start-up, Operation and Control; Economics; Cooperative Development; Regulations
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Anaerobic Digesters and Methane Production… Questions that need to be asked and answered before investing your money.
Module Author: Ed Johnstonbaugh provides extension programs for Penn State in renewables and “smart energy buying and use”, including an energy credit co-op and other energy programs. He has over 25 years of experience with utility companies in the energy industry.
If you wish to adapt these curriculum materials for your own educational purposes, please contact the Module Author for permission and files: