Anaerobic Digester Alternative Energy Technologies

Problem Statement and Motivation

Key Achievements and Future GoalsTechnical Approach

Anaerobic Digester Alternative Energy TechnologiesJohn Cuttica, Steffen Mueller, Cliff Haefke (Energy Resources Center)

Primary Grant Support: U.S. Department of Energy, Blue Moon Fund, Illinois DCEO

• Anaerobic digesters provide the necessary conditions to foster the natural occurring decomposition of organic matter by bacteria in the absence of oxygen.

• Anaerobic digestion provides an effective method for treating the waste products from livestock farming, food processing, and waste water treatment industries into:• Biogas that can be used to provide heat and/or electricity, injected

into the natural gas pipeline, or converted to a compressed or liquid transportation fuel

• Solids (fiber) that can be used as compost, animal bedding, granule fertilizer, and/or medium density fiberboard

• Liquid (filtrate) for liquid fertilizer land application

• Since 2004, the ERC has co-organized and/or co-sponsored 10 waste-to-energy workshops on anaerobic digester technologies and their market applications in the agriculture, food processing, and wastewater treatment industries reaching over 1,200 interested attendees: IA (2), IL (2), IN (3), OH (2), and MI (1).

• The ERC has completed 10 technical feasibility assessments and 12 project profiles on anaerobic digester alternative energy projects.

• The Midwest has experienced an increase in anaerobic digester/biogas fueled CHP systems – over 40 installations totaling more than 37 MW of clean power

• The ERC fosters anaerobic digester alternative energy project identification and implementation in the 12 state Midwest region through targeted education, unbiased information, and technical assistance.

• The ERC, working closely with each of the State Energy Offices and State Agriculture Departments, has formed partnerships with the anaerobic digester stakeholders in the Midwest.

• The ERC has implemented a full gamut of outreach services, including web site, targeted market workshops, project profiles, site technical and financial analyses, and specialty reports.

Source: US EPA AgStar