Optimising Anaerobic Digestion of Manure Resources at a Regional Level

Kari-Anne Lyng, Mia Bjerkestrand, Aina Elstad Stensgård, Pieter Callewaert and Ole Jørgen Hanssen
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Kari-Anne Lyng: Ostfold Research, Stadion 4, 1671 Krakeroy, Norway
Mia Bjerkestrand: The Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management (MINA), Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), 1430 Ås, Norway
Aina Elstad Stensgård: Ostfold Research, Stadion 4, 1671 Krakeroy, Norway
Pieter Callewaert: Ostfold Research, Stadion 4, 1671 Krakeroy, Norway
Ole Jørgen Hanssen: Ostfold Research, Stadion 4, 1671 Krakeroy, Norway

Sustainability, 2018, vol. 10, issue 1, 1-18

Abstract: An optimisation model was developed to give decision support on methods of managing manure resources within a region to reduce greenhouse gases and at the same time obtain economic profitability for the farmer. The model was tested by performing a case study on 50 farms in one region in Norway. Based on input data on the number of cattle and pigs on each farm, and the transport distance between each farm and the nearest centralised biogas plant, the model calculates the economic profit of the farmer and the greenhouse gas emissions for three manure management alternatives: (1) no biogas production; (2) farm scale biogas production; and (3) centralised biogas production. The model could minimise the greenhouse gas emissions, maximise the profit for the farmers or a combination of the two. Results from the case study showed that both options for anaerobic digestion (farm scale and centralised biogas production) are beneficial in terms of the reduction of greenhouse gases and can be profitable for the farmers. The case study has validated the functionality and usefulness of the model. Some improvements are suggested for further development and use.

Keywords: optimisation; anaerobic digestion; manure; greenhouse gas reduction (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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