scholarly journals An Investigation of the Potential Adoption of Anaerobic Digestion for Energy Production in Irish Farms

Environments ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 8
Author(s):  
Sean O’Connor ◽  
Ehiaze Ehimen ◽  
Suresh C. Pillai ◽  
Niamh Power ◽  
Gary A. Lyons ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Energy Production ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Co2 Reduction ◽  
Agriculture Sector ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
High Investment ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Technology Ranking

Anaerobic digestion (AD) has been recognised as an effective means of simultaneously producing energy while reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Despite having a large agriculture sector, Ireland has experienced little uptake of the technology, ranking 20th within the EU-28. It is, therefore, necessary to understand the general opinions, willingness to adopt, and perceived obstacles of potential adopters of the technology. As likely primary users of this technology, a survey of Irish cattle farmers was conducted to assess the potential of on-farm AD for energy production in Ireland. The study seeks to understand farmers’ motivations, perceived barriers, and preferred business model. The study found that approximately 41% of the 91 respondents were interested in installing AD on their farming enterprise within the next five years. These Likely Adopters tended to have a higher level of education attainment, and together, currently hold 4379 cattle, potentially providing 37,122 t year−1 of wastes as feedstock, resulting in a potential CO2 reduction of 800.65 t CO2-eq. year−1. Moreover, the results indicated that the primary consideration preventing the implementation of AD is a lack of information regarding the technology and high investment costs. Of the Likely Adopters and Possible Adopters, a self-owned and operated plant was the preferred ownership structure, while 58% expressed an interest in joining a co-operative scheme. The findings generated provide valuable insights into the willingness of farmers to implement AD and guidance for its potential widespread adoption.

scholarly journals Economic and Environmental Analysis of Small-Scale Anaerobic Digestion Plants on Irish Dairy Farms

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 637 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean O’Connor ◽  
Ehiaze Ehimen ◽  
Suresh C. Pillai ◽  
Gary Lyons ◽  
John Bartlett
Keyword(s):  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Waste Treatment ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Co2 Reduction ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Eu Countries ◽  
Agriculture Sector ◽  
Energy Needs ◽  
Treatment Facilities

The European Union’s (EU) climate and energy package requires all EU countries to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 20% by 2020. Based on current trends, Ireland is on track to miss this target with a projected reduction of only 5% to 6%. The agriculture sector has consistently been the single largest contributor to Irish GHG emissions, representing 33% of all emissions in 2017. Small-scale anaerobic digestion (SSAD) holds promise as an attractive technology for the treatment of livestock manure and the organic fraction of municipal wastes, especially in low population communities or standalone waste treatment facilities. This study assesses the viability of SSAD in Ireland, by modelling the technical, economic, and environmental considerations of operating such plants on commercial Irish dairy farms. The study examines the integration of SSAD on dairy farms with various herd sizes ranging from 50 to 250 dairy cows, with co-digestion afforded by grass grown on available land. Results demonstrate feedstock quantities available on-farm to be sufficient to meet the farm’s energy needs with surplus energy exported, representing between 73% and 79% of the total energy generated. All scenarios investigated demonstrate a net CO2 reduction ranging between 2059–173,237 kg CO2-eq. yr−1. The study found SSAD systems to be profitable within the plant’s lifespan on farms with dairy herds sizes of >100 cows (with payback periods of 8–13 years). The simulated introduction of capital subvention grants similar to other EU countries was seen to significantly lower the plant payback periods. The insights generated from this study show SSAD to be an economically sustainable method for the mitigation of GHG emissions in the Irish agriculture sector.

Assessing the potential for the uptake of on-farm anaerobic digestion for energy production in England

Energy Policy ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 2424-2430 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.B. Tranter ◽  
A. Swinbank ◽  
P.J. Jones ◽  
C.J. Banks ◽  
A.M. Salter
Keyword(s):  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Energy Production ◽  
On Farm

scholarly journals Enhancement of Food Waste Management and Its Environmental Consequences

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 1790
Author(s):  
Jan den Boer ◽  
Gudrun Obersteiner ◽  
Sebastian Gollnow ◽  
Emilia den Boer ◽  
Renata Bodnárné Sándor
Keyword(s):  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Waste Management ◽  
Environmental Effects ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Primary Energy ◽  
Biological Pretreatment ◽  
Environmental Benefit ◽  
Kitchen Waste ◽  
Considerable Saving ◽  
Positive Effects

This paper assesses the potential environmental effects of the optimization of the kitchen waste management in Opole. The separate collection of kitchen waste is improved by distribution of separate collection kits consisting of an in-home bin and 10 L biodegradable bags. The surplus of collected kitchen waste is diverted from treatment in a mechanical-biological pretreatment (MBP) along with the residual waste to anaerobic digestion (AD) with the biowaste. This has positive effects on European and Polish goals, ambitions, and targets, such as (i) increasing the level of renewables in the primary energy supply, (ii) decreasing the level of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, (iii) increasing the level of preparation for reuse and recycling of municipal waste. The environmental effects of 1 ton additionally separately collected and treated kitchen waste are determined by using life cycle assessment. It was shown that in all selected impact categories (global warming potential, marine eutrophication potential, acidification potential, and ozone depletion potential) a clear environmental benefit can be achieved. These benefits are mainly caused by the avoided emissions of electricity and heat from the Polish production mix, which are substituted by energy generation from biogas combustion. Optimization of the waste management system by diversion of kitchen waste from mechanical-biological pretreatment to anaerobic digestion can lead to considerable saving of 448 kg CO2-eq/t of waste diverted. With an estimated optimization potential for the demonstration site of 40 kg/inh·year for the city of Opole, this would lead to 680,000 t CO2-eq savings per year for the whole of Poland. The sensitivity analysis showed that with a choice for cleaner energy sources the results would, albeit lower, show a significant savings potential.

Technological Innovation and the Agricultural Sustainability

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Rachida Khaled ◽  
Lamine Hammas
Keyword(s):  
Technological Innovation ◽  
Energy Production ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Agricultural Productivity ◽  
Agricultural Sustainability ◽  
Net Income ◽  
Agriculture Sector ◽  
The Impact

The diffusion of the technological innovation can affect the agricultural sector in the three-sided (social, economic and environmental), a hand, it can contribute to solve problems of the agricultural sector: the effects of the climatic changes, the farming exodus and the migration and the problems of poverty and it can improve the agricultural productivity. But on the other hand, he can lead to new problems, such as depletion of energy resources caused by excessive use of energizing technologies, pollution of air and water and the destruction of soil by industrial waste. This paper aims to theoretically and empirically analyze the role of technological innovation in improving agricultural sustainability through the impact of mechanization on agricultural productivity, energy production and net income per capita for a panel of three Maghreb countries (Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia) during the period 1997-2012. By using simultaneous equations, the authors' finding that technological innovation cannot achieve the purpose of sustainable development in the agriculture sector in the Maghreb countries through the negative impact of mechanization and research and development on agricultural productivity.

The potential of bio-methane as bio-fuel/bio-energy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions: a qualitative assessment for Europe in a life cycle perspective

2008 ◽  
Vol 57 (11) ◽  
pp. 1683-1692 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Tilche ◽  
Michele Galatola
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Industrial Wastewater ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Energy Crops ◽  
Qualitative Assessment ◽  
Potential Contribution ◽  
Ghg Reduction

Anaerobic digestion is a well known process that (while still capable of showing new features) has experienced several waves of technological development. It was “born” as a wastewater treatment system, in the 1970s showed promise as an alternative energy source (in particular from animal waste), in the 1980s and later it became a standard for treating organic-matter-rich industrial wastewater, and more recently returned to the market for its energy recovery potential, making use of different biomasses, including energy crops. With the growing concern around global warming, this paper looks at the potential of anaerobic digestion in terms of reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The potential contribution of anaerobic digestion to GHG reduction has been computed for the 27 EU countries on the basis of their 2005 Kyoto declarations and using life cycle data. The theoretical potential contribution of anaerobic digestion to Kyoto and EU post-Kyoto targets has been calculated. Two different possible biogas applications have been considered: electricity production from manure waste, and upgraded methane production for light goods vehicles (from landfill biogas and municipal and industrial wastewater treatment sludges). The useful heat that can be produced as by-product from biogas conversion into electricity has not been taken into consideration, as its real exploitation depends on local conditions. Moreover the amount of biogas already produced via dedicated anaerobic digestion processes has also not been included in the calculations. Therefore the overall gains achievable would be even higher than those reported here. This exercise shows that biogas may considerably contribute to GHG emission reductions in particular if used as a biofuel. Results also show that its use as a biofuel may allow for true negative GHG emissions, showing a net advantage with respect to other biofuels. Considering also energy crops that will become available in the next few years as a result of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform, this study shows that biogas has the potential of covering almost 50% of the 2020 biofuel target of 10% of all automotive transport fuels, without implying a change in land use. Moreover, considering the achievable GHG reductions, a very large carbon emission trading “value” could support the investment needs. However, those results were obtained through a “qualitative” assessment. In order to produce robust data for decision makers, a quantitative sustainability assessment should be carried out, integrating different methodologies within a life cycle framework. The identification of the most appropriate policy for promoting the best set of options is then discussed.

scholarly journals Integrated Approach for Wastewater Treatment and Biofuel Production in Microalgae Biorefineries

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. 2282
Author(s):  
Sanjeet Mehariya ◽  
Rahul Kumar Goswami ◽  
Pradeep Verma ◽  
Roberto Lavecchia ◽  
Antonio Zuorro
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Energy Production ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Biofuel Production ◽  
World Population ◽  
Treatment Processes ◽  
Current Scenario ◽  
Valuable Compounds

The increasing world population generates huge amounts of wastewater as well as large energy demand. Additionally, fossil fuel’s combustion for energy production causes the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) and other pollutants. Therefore, there is a strong need to find alternative green approaches for wastewater treatment and energy production. Microalgae biorefineries could represent an effective strategy to mitigate the above problems. Microalgae biorefineries are a sustainable alternative to conventional wastewater treatment processes, as they potentially allow wastewater to be treated at lower costs and with lower energy consumption. Furthermore, they provide an effective means to recover valuable compounds for biofuel production or other applications. This review focuses on the current scenario and future prospects of microalgae biorefineries aimed at combining wastewater treatment with biofuel production. First, the different microalgal cultivation systems are examined, and their main characteristics and limitations are discussed. Then, the technologies available for converting the biomass produced during wastewater treatment into biofuel are critically analyzed. Finally, current challenges and research directions for biofuel production and wastewater treatment through this approach are outlined.

scholarly journals Viewpoint: effective stakeholder communication in agriculture: together we stand, divided we fall!

2014 ◽  
Vol 152 (S1) ◽  
pp. 65-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. F. M. AARTS ◽  
J. HUMPHREYS ◽  
A. LE GALL
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Research Output ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Current Paper ◽  
Agricultural Systems ◽  
Regional Networks ◽  
Effective Application ◽  
Agricultural Knowledge ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Stakeholder Communication

SUMMARYSubstantial improvements of agricultural systems are necessary to meet the future requirements of humanity. However, current agricultural knowledge and information systems are generally not well suited to meet the necessary improvements in productivity and sustainability. For more effective application of research output, research producers and research consumers should not be considered as separate individuals in the knowledge chain but as collaborating partners creating synergy. The current paper investigates the relationships between scientists and stakeholders and identifies approaches to increase the effectiveness of their communication. On-farm research has proven to be an effective means of improving exploitation of research output at farm level because it connects all relevant partners in the process. Furthermore, pilot farms can act as an effective platform for communication and dissemination. Regional networks of pilot farms should be established and connected across regions.

Influence of Ultrasound on the Synthesis of Biogas During Disposal of Beer Spent Grain

2021 ◽  
pp. 33-38
Author(s):  
Владимир Владимирович Житков ◽  
Борис Николаевич Федоренко
Keyword(s):  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Energy Production ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Organic Substances ◽  
Ultrasonic Pretreatment ◽  
Biogas Yield ◽  
Spent Grains ◽  
Efficient Resource ◽  
Spent Grain ◽  
Environmentally Friendly Process

Ультразвуковая предварительная обработка считается экологически чистым процессом для повышения биоразлагаемости органических веществ при анаэробном сбраживании. Однако количество потребляемой энергии во время предварительной обработки является проблемой, особенно в тех случаях, когда производство энергии является основной целью биогазовой установки. Основной целью настоящего исследования работы было изучение эффективности ультразвуковой предварительной обработки для увеличения производства биогаза из отходов пивоваренного производства - пивной дробины. Результаты показали, что применение частоты 40 кГц при температуре 40 °С соответственно привело к увеличению выхода биогаза на 83%. Методология показала положительный результат в отношении содержания метана и скорости производства биогаза. Использование ультразвуковой предварительной обработки в отношении пивоваренной дробины для производства биогаза, по-видимому, позволяет решить проблемы не только эффективной утилизации пивоваренных отходов, но и создать экономически эффективный ресурс возобновляемой энергии на пивоваренном или аффилированном с ним производстве. Ultrasonic pretreatment is considered an environmentally friendly process to increase the biodegradability of organic substances during anaerobic digestion. However, the amount of energy consumed during pretreatment is a problem, especially in cases where energy production is the main purpose of the biogas plant. The main purpose of this study was to study the effectiveness of ultrasonic pretreatment to increase the production of biogas from brewing waste - brewer's grains. The results showed that the use of a frequency of 40 kHz at a temperature of 40 °C, respectively, led to an increase in the biogas yield by 83%. The methodology showed a positive result in terms of methane content and biogas production rate. The use of ultrasonic pretreatment for brewing spent grains for biogas production seems to solve the problems of not only efficient disposal of brewing waste, but also to create an economically efficient resource of renewable energy in brewing or its affiliated production.

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