Project Description: The Methane Harvest and Conversion Project aims to capture and convert methane emissions from dairy farms across Wisconsin into renewable natural gas (RNG). This initiative seeks to address the significant methane emissions produced by the agricultural sector, turning a potent greenhouse gas into a valuable energy resource, while generating carbon credits.
Objectives:
- Methane Capture: Install biogas systems at 50 participating dairy farms to capture methane emissions from manure management systems.
- Renewable Energy Production: Convert the captured methane into RNG, injecting it into the local gas grid to offset the use of conventional natural gas.
- Emission Reduction: Achieve an annual reduction of approximately 400,000 tons of CO2-equivalent by capturing and utilizing methane that would otherwise enter the atmosphere.
- Sustainable Agriculture: Enhance the sustainability of dairy operations by providing farmers with an additional revenue stream and reducing odor and pollution.
Methodology:
- Assessment and Installation: Conduct site-specific assessments to design and install customized biogas capture systems.
- Methane Conversion: Utilize up-to-date technology to efficiently convert captured methane into high-quality RNG.
- Monitoring and Maintenance: Implement continuous monitoring systems to ensure optimal operation of biogas plants and adherence to safety and environmental standards.
- Verification and Reporting: Undergo annual third-party verification to quantify captured methane and produced RNG, ensuring accurate carbon credit issuance.
Expected Outcomes:
- Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate change mitigation.
- Strengthened energy security with the production of RNG, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
- Economic benefits to the agricultural sector through new income sources and improved farm waste management.
- Promotion of circular economy principles within the agricultural industry.
Funding and Revenue: The project is funded through a combination of government grants, private equity, and pre-purchased carbon credits. Revenue is generated from the sale of RNG to energy companies and carbon credits to entities seeking to offset their emissions.
Sustainability and Future Plans: The project includes plans for scaling up to include additional farms and potentially other agricultural emission sources. Continuous improvement in biogas technology will be pursued to increase efficiency and reduce costs. Educational outreach and partnership programs will be established to spread best practices in methane capture across the agricultural sector.