Energy potential and GHG reduction with anaerobic digestion of dairy manure and food waste

On-farm energy produced by anaerobic digestion (AD) systems that process dairy manure with or without other organics, such as food waste, can supply flexible and storable energy in the form of biomethane (renewable natural gas), while also reducing methane emissions from long-term liquid manure storage and landfilling of organic waste. 

Cornell CALS PRO-DAIRY Dairy Environmental Systems has released a biomethane potential fact sheet that describes the current and potential biomethane output from NY on-farm AD systems. These systems account for roughly 12 percent of dairy manure from NY farms and generate enough energy to fuel 1,500 semi tractor trailers each year. The estimated potential from on-farm AD systems that process dairy manure and food waste in NY could provide over 300 million diesel-gallon-equivalents of energy for heavy duty vehicles (or commercial and industrial heating needs) within 10 years.

Technology readiness at multiple scales is not a roadblock to implement AD systems as it is with fully electrified heavy-duty vehicles and industrial heating systems. Economic feasibility, however, requires appropriate local value of both the greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction and the non-fossil fuel bioenergy production benefits of AD systems.

New York’s Climate Leadership & Community Protection Act requires strict thresholds to reach 40 percent GHG reduction in five years and then 85 percent by 2050. This AD bioenergy pathway is ready to bring renewable energy to serve NY that: 

• Complements and diversifies intermittent electrification, 
• Offers job opportunities distributed across the state,
• Facilitates use of recycled rather than synthetic nutrients to grow crops, and
• Reduces methane and fossil fuel carbon dioxide (CO₂).

Ultimately, AD of dairy manure and food waste creates a bioeconomy that can contribute to a regenerative agriculture and integrated food system.

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