DDRDP

First of Its Kind Fuel Cell Project Generating Electricity from Dairy Waste

First of Its Kind Fuel Cell Project Generating Electricity from Dairy Waste

California Department of Food and Agriculture

Thanks to $3 million in funding from the Dairy Digester Research and Development Program (DDRDP), a California Bioenergy dairy digester and Bloom Energy fuel cell technology have been installed at the Bar 20 Dairy in Fresno County and are now capturing methane and generating renewable electricity without combustion. This innovative project was made possible through state incentive programs and private investors including the DDRDP administered by the California Department of Food and Agriculture, and the Self Generation Incentive Program, administered by the California Public Utilities Commission, and access to revenue generated by California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) credit.

Capturing Methane to Create Renewable Fuels in Kern County

Capturing Methane to Create Renewable Fuels in Kern County

The CalBioGas Kern County biogas cluster – or Kern Cluster – was developed by a joint venture between California Bioenergy, Chevron U.S.A. Incorporated, and several California dairy farmers. The Dairy Digester Research and Development Program has awarded grants totaling over $17.6 million from California Climate Investments to the dairy operations in the Kern Cluster, which is comprised of eight family‑owned dairy farms. Thanks to these funds, these dairies now capture and prevent the release of methane – a greenhouse gas 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide – and are creating a renewable source of fuel.

Dairy Digester Delivers Renewable Energy in Kern County

Dairy Digester Delivers Renewable Energy in Kern County

Located outside Bakersfield, the Carlos Echeverria and Sons (CE&S) Dairy Biogas project will use anaerobic digester technology to produce energy, reduce GHG emissions, comply with environmental regulations and increase nutrient availability to crops. The project is funded through CDFA’s Dairy Digester Research and Development Program (DDRDP), supported by Cap-and-Trade dollars and the California Energy Commission.

Manure Management Project in Kings County Offsets Electricity Usage

Manure Management Project in Kings County Offsets Electricity Usage

Phil Verwey knows that happy cows produce better and more milk, and recent California Climate Investments in his dairy have made both Mr. Verwey—and his cows—very happy. Thanks to a $3 million grant from the CDFA’s Dairy Digester Research and Development Program in 2015, along with $4 million in matching funds, the animal manure from his operation is now being turned into high quality bedding for his herd and electricity.

Collective Biogas Operation Reduces Emissions from Multiple Central Valley Dairies

Collective Biogas Operation Reduces Emissions from Multiple Central Valley Dairies

Calgren Dairy Fuels (CDF) is the first California dairy digester pipeline cluster that upgrades dairy biogas to biomethane for utility pipeline injection. It is currently the only one of its kind in California, and with 20 digesters serving 22 dairies, it is the largest collective dairy biogas operation in the country.

Dairy Digester Program Expands Student Research Opportunities and Supports Jobs

Dairy Digester Program Expands Student Research Opportunities and Supports Jobs

The digester projects provide substantial environmental benefits by improving local air quality. Replacing the open-air lagoons of waste with a covered lagoon digester reduces manure-related emissions. Also, utilizing the methane in near-zero emissions natural gas vehicles replaces diesel vehicles and reduces NOX emissions by an estimated 90%.