Wanner Farms methane digester
Podcast about this project
Right-click to download the podcast.
How are the carbon offsets generated?
Some of the carbon offsets are created from the environmental attributes of each kWh of electricity produced by the farm. These kWhs displace kWhs from the grid, thereby reducing the amount of fossil fuel being burned and CO2 released.
Some carbon offset are created by the reduction in methane emissions made possible by “avoided lagoon” storage of manure. Methane is a very potent greenhouse gas and it is combusted in the generator before it reaches the atmosphere.
Some carbon offsets are generated by using waste heat from the generator to boil water, because fuel oil burned onsite for water heating is greatly reduced. By reducing the amount of fuel oil combusted CO2 emissions are avoided.
Read more about how carbon offsets are created
What is done with the processed manure?
Processed manure is sanitary and separated solids can be used as bedding for the cows. Reusing the processed manure reduces the need to bring in bedding from off-farm sources. As fertilizer, the liquid digestate is more readily absorbed by crop roots, and helps reduce potential nitrate run-off into waterways. Other environmental benefits from reusing processed manure are reduced truck miles and material conservation benefits.
Anaerobic bacteria in the digester eat the cow manure, decomposing it and releasing methane gas as waste. The methane gas (“biogas”) collected in the digester is then burned in a generator to make electricity.
How is this project additional?
The sale of offsets represented a considerable portion of the entire project cost and allowed Wanner Farms to go ahead with the project. Without the sale of offsets, this project would not have gone forward.
What’s the social or community value?
This project is helping the Wanner Family to ensure the viability of the farm well into the future. The Wanner Family’s decisions to install a digester are an investment in the future, as manure management and environmental sustainability become larger and larger issues for American family farms.
Read more about ‘social value added’ carbon offsets
Photo credit: NativeEnergy
- Type
- Farm methane abatement
- Location
- Narvon, PA
- Project by
- NativeEnergy
The Wanners have long been recognized for their environmental stewardship and wanted to improve nutrient management.
They saw the methane digester systems as a way to protect and sustain the farm for their eighth generation.
—NativeEnergy
