BioMass and BioGas in Minnesota

by Keith Griffin.
Last Updated by Keith Griffin.

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Tagged with bio, biofuels, biomass, counties, energy, environmental, fuels, funded projects, minnesota energy, minnesota funded mnrem projects, minnesota power, mn, mnrem, power, region, renewable energy, solar, solar power, talent development, wind and wind power.

The region offers a significant opportunity for biomass and biogas projects — making primary methane gas from decomposing biological waste. The energy produced is considered carbon-neutral because the process has the same carbon effect as natural decay of the waste matter.

Sources:

Dairy, beef, poultry, and swine livestock operations all yield the potential for producing biogas. Dairy manure in Minnesota offers the highest potential for manure digestion because of the ratio of liquids to solids. Farmers can provide a valuable source of renewable energy and reduce odor conflicts with neighbors and the community.

In Southwest Minnesota, poultry litter from turkeys and chickens provide plentiful material for biomass gasification plants. The wood shavings, sawdust, straw and other dry absorbent materials collect providing bedding for poultry and collect manure.

Other sources of biomass include crop residue such as corn stover or stalks, switch grass, and forestry waster.

Uses:

Electricity is produced by burning the biomass to produce methane gas. The methane is used to produce steam that powers a turbine . The turbine, then, generates electricity. Waste products can be refined and used as fertilizer and heating oil.