USDA, DOE TEAM UP TO PRODUCE BIOENERGY

USDA, DOE TEAM UP TO PRODUCE BIOENERGY

WASHINGTON, July 31, 2002-A microturbine generator that runs on methane biogas from animal manure will be evaluated as a source of electricity and heat for a research dairy farm in a cooperative project of the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Bio-Power and the National Energy Technology Laboratory. The microturbine system could generate as much as 26 kilowatts (kw) of electricity and approximately 400,000 British thermal units (btu) per hour of heat for small dairy operations of less than 250 cows.

“This project is an example of the positive partnership between USDA and DOE to combine resources and capabilities to develop renewable energy for on-farm use, while also addressing an animal waste management issue,” said Rodney J. Brown, deputy under secretary for research, education and economics. “A system that operates efficiently and is cost-effective would provide an alternative energy source for dairy farmers and help them to lower their operating costs.”