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Agricultural Operations
 
The agricultural sector provides significant CHP opportunities through waste management and opportunity fuels. Agricultural wastes or "energy crops" can be used to co-fire existing generators. Alternatively, animal and agricultural wastes can be converted to biogas through the process of anaerobic digestion. This process uses naturally occurring bacteria to decompose crop and animal wastes. Anaerobic digesters are sealed with covers that trap the biogas produced in the digester. The biogas can then be used in conventional engines or micro-turbines to produce electricity and heat for the farm. Thermal needs include hot water, space heating, and heat to maintain the temperature of the anaerobic digester.

The following agricultural sites could make excellent hosts for CHP installations:
  • Feedlots
  • Dairy farms
  • Timber and forest operations
  • Rice, cotton, sugar cane, and sugar beet processing operations
Map of Texas

 

Resource Directory


Market Assessments

Combined Heat and Power Potential Using Texas Agricultural Wastes (858 KB)
Gulf Coast CHP Application Center - January 2008

Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas - ATTRA
California Energy Commission - December 2006

Publications

Presentations

Case Studies

Project Development

The Digester Self-Screening Tool
Agricultural Utilization Research Institute - AURI

Cogeneration Power Resources
11 articles discussing engines and other technologies used with a methane-digester system to generate power

U.S. Operating Digesters by State


Additional Resources


Houston Advanced Research CenterU.S. Department of Energy Gulf Coast Clean Energy Application Center
4800 Research Forest Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77381

 

 

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