Tag: economics

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Renewable Natural Gas from Manure and Grasses: Business Opportunity Plan for “Sleeping Squirrel Farm”

Authors: Daniel Ciolkosz, Michael, Hile, Bill Lazarus, and Gary Musgrave, Penn State Extension

Overview:

This business opportunity plan describes the steps involved in establishing an on-farm anaerobic digester that produces biogas from a combination of manure and perennial grass (in this case, switchgrass), and sells it as Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) for injection into an adjacent pipeline. The overall configuration of the facility is described, sizes and capacities of major equipment are laid out, and estimated costs along with a …

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Research Summary: What Would it Take to Convince Farmers to Grow Switchgrass for Biomass?

Researchers delve into the economic incentives that would induce farmers to grow switchgrass for cellulosic biofuel.

 

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Funded by AFRI. Learn More.

Table of Contents

Abstract

A survey of crop farmers in the North-Central region of the United States finds that they would ask for an average of $230 per acre, or about $82 per dry ton, to …

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CenUSA Models Predict Large Water Quality Improvements from Perennials

CenUSA’s System Performance team research shows water quality benefits when biofuels are produced from perennial grasses; provides guidance for policymakers, farmers, and the bioenergy industry.

Sponsoring Partner

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Funded by AFRI. Learn More.

Table of Contents

 

CenUSA-cycle-graphic

The Team and Objectives

Despite more than 40 years of largely voluntary efforts by federal, state and local government, …

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Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)

Bioenergy Curriculum graphic

This Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) module is part of the Biomass Energy Training Curriculum, 13 modules developed through a Southern SARE grant and collaboration between Tennessee State University, the University of Tennessee, eXtension.org, and USDA-Rural Development. While it is written as a training guide for TN producers, much of the information is applicable throughout the Southeastern US region.

This curriculum is designed to increase the knowledge base of extension agents and local officials on biomass energy; so

…
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How to Start a Cooperative

Bioenergy Curriculum graphic

This How to Start a Cooperative module is part of the Biomass Energy Training Curriculum, 13 modules developed through a Southern SARE grant and collaboration between Tennessee State University, the University of Tennessee, eXtension.org, and USDA-Rural Development. While it is written as a training guide for TN producers, much of the information is applicable throughout the Southeastern US region.

This curriculum is designed to increase the knowledge base of extension agents and local officials on biomass energy; so that

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Federal Assistance and Economics of On-Farm Biodiesel Production

Bioenergy Curriculum graphic

This Federal Assistance and Economics of On-Farm Biodiesel Production module is part of the Biomass Energy Training Curriculum, 13 modules developed through a Southern SARE grant and collaboration between Tennessee State University, the University of Tennessee, eXtension.org, and USDA-Rural Development. While it is written as a training guide for TN producers, much of the information is applicable throughout the Southeastern US region.

This curriculum is designed to increase the knowledge base of extension agents and local officials on biomass

…
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Biomass Energy Training Curriculum – TN

Bioenergy Curriculum graphic
 
This curriculum  provides training on biomass energy to extension agents and local officials so that they may deliver this information to their stakeholders. While it is written as a training guide for TN, much of the information is applicable throughout the Southeastern US region.
 

This curriculum was developed through a Southern SARE grant and collaboration between Tennessee State University, the University of Tennessee, eXtension.org, and USDA-Rural Development. 

 

Link to the full TN Biomass Energy Training Curriculum (a 254 page downloadable

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Maximizing Planted Area and Biomass Production in Shrub Willow Bioenergy Fields

Willow Stand Density biomass
Willow stand density. Photo: SUNY-ESF.
A portion of the land area in commercial willow bioenergy fields must be left unplanted for headlands to facilitate efficient machinery operation. Other unplanted areas, if not functional, should be minimized through best-practice targets in order to maximize biomass production and revenues.

 

Table of Contents

Introduction

An important consideration for commercial shrub willow crop …

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EcoWillow 2.0: An Updated Tool for Financial Analysis of Willow Biomass

Model input output

 

 

 

EcoWillow is a financial analysis tool developed by SUNY-ESF that allows users to model the costs and revenues of willow biomass production through every stage of the feedstock life cycle from site preparation through planting, harvesting, and transport to an end user for renewable energy

Table of Contents

double row planter willow
Figure 1. Planting a willow crop in northern New York State using
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Research Summary: Competition For Land Use—Why Would a Rational Producer Grow Switchgrass for Biofuel?

Farmers value the conservation and environmental benefits of switchgrass grown for biofuels but also consider profit, alternative land uses, and public policy incentives when making production decisions.

 

Sponsoring Partner

CenUSA-Logo
Funded by AFRI. Learn More.

Table of Contents

Abstract

Switchgrass production must compete with other potential land uses and be profitable for growers, and biofuel markets for perennial grasses …

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