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Farm-Based Anaerobic Digesters as an Energy and Odor Control Technology -- Background and Policy Issues

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  • Lazarus, William F.

Abstract

This report summarizes the existing literature and analytical perspectives on farm-based digesters, highlights major efforts in the United States and Europe to expand digester usage, and discusses key policy issues affecting digester economics. The study was largely a review of the “gray literature” on digesters, and it serves as a snapshot overview of the industry. Digesters are fairly capital-intensive when viewed primarily as an energy source. On a strictly market basis, current U.S. average electricity prices do not appear to provide sufficient economic justification for digesters to move beyond a fairly limited niche. Digesters make the most sense today where the odor and nutrient management benefits are important, or where the electricity or heat has a higher-than-average value. Digester biogas is mainly methane, which is destroyed when flared or used for electricity. This methane destruction is beneficial in terms of climate change. The associated carbon credits may become a more significant farm revenue source in the future.

Suggested Citation

  • Lazarus, William F., 2008. "Farm-Based Anaerobic Digesters as an Energy and Odor Control Technology -- Background and Policy Issues," Agricultural Economic Reports 308484, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:uerser:308484
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.308484
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    Cited by:

    1. Hitaj, Claudia & Suttles, Shellye, 2016. "Trends in U.S. Agriculture's Consumption and Production of Energy: Renewable Power, Shale Energy, and Cellulosic Biomass," Economic Information Bulletin 262140, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    2. O'Connor, S. & Ehimen, E. & Pillai, S.C. & Black, A. & Tormey, D. & Bartlett, J., 2021. "Biogas production from small-scale anaerobic digestion plants on European farms," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 139(C).
    3. Ogejo, J.A. & Li, L., 2010. "Enhancing biomethane production from flush dairy manure with turkey processing wastewater," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(10), pages 3171-3177, October.
    4. Robert S. Weber & Johnathan E. Holladay & Cynthia Jenks & Ellen A. Panisko & Lesley J. Snowden‐Swan & Magdalena Ramirez‐Corredores & Brian Baynes & Largus T. Angenent & Dane Boysen, 2018. "Modularized production of fuels and other value‐added products from distributed, wasted, or stranded feedstocks," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Energy and Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 7(6), November.
    5. Binkley, David & Harsh, Stephen & Wolf, Christopher A. & Safferman, Steven & Kirk, Dana, 2013. "Electricity purchase agreements and distributed energy policies for anaerobic digesters," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 341-352.
    6. Yu, Charng-Jian & Du, Xiaodong & Phaneuf, Daniel, 2021. "The Impact of the Clean Water Act on Farm Practices: The Case of U.S. Dairy CAFOs," Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Western Agricultural Economics Association, vol. 46(3), September.
    7. Joshi, Janak & Wang, Jingjing, 2018. "Manure management coupled with bioenergy production: An environmental and economic assessment of large dairies in New Mexico," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 197-207.

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