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The Role of Anaerobic Digestion in Reducing Dairy Farm Greenhouse Gas Emissions

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  • Alun Scott

    (Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology, Loughborough University, London E20 3BS, UK)

  • Richard Blanchard

    (Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology, Loughborough University, London E20 3BS, UK)

Abstract

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from dairy farms are significant contributors to global warming. However, much of the published work on GHG reduction is focused on either methane (CH 4 ) or nitrous oxide (N 2 O), with few, if any, considering the interactions that changes to farming systems can have on both gases. This paper takes the raw data from a year of activity on a 300-cow commercial dairy farm in Northern Ireland to more accurately quantify GHG sources by use of a simple predictive model based on IPCC methodology. Differing herd management policies are examined together with the impact of integrating anaerobic digestion (AD) into each farming system. Whilst significant success can be predicted in capturing CH 4 and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) as biogas and preventing N 2 O emissions, gains made can be lost in a subsequent process, negating some or all of the advantage. The process of extracting value from the captured resource is discussed in light of current farm parameters together with indications of other potential revenue streams. However, this study has concluded that despite the significant potential for GHG reduction, there is little incentive for widespread adoption of manure-based farm-scale AD in the UK at this time.

Suggested Citation

  • Alun Scott & Richard Blanchard, 2021. "The Role of Anaerobic Digestion in Reducing Dairy Farm Greenhouse Gas Emissions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-18, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:5:p:2612-:d:508362
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nizami, A.S. & Orozco, A. & Groom, E. & Dieterich, B. & Murphy, J.D., 2012. "How much gas can we get from grass?," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 783-790.
    2. Ignacio Perez Dominguez & Thomas Fellmann & Peter Witzke & Franz Weiss & Jordan Hristov & Mihaly Himics & Jesus Barreiro-Hurle & Manuel Gomez Barbero & Adrian Leip, 2020. "Economic assessment of GHG mitigation policy options for EU agriculture: A closer look at mitigation options and regional mitigation costs (EcAMPA 3)," JRC Research Reports JRC120355, Joint Research Centre.
    3. Sean O’Connor & Ehiaze Ehimen & Suresh C. Pillai & Gary Lyons & John Bartlett, 2020. "Economic and Environmental Analysis of Small-Scale Anaerobic Digestion Plants on Irish Dairy Farms," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-20, February.
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