By: Deborah Johnson Wood
After two years of research, construction, and testing, the biodigester alternative fuel plant built by GVSU's Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center on the den Dulk Dairy Farm in Ravenna is nearly ready for the big time. Earlier this month, plant operators began pumping the solid waste from 1,000 dairy cows into the 600,000-gallon tank and the final testing began.
When it's fully operational, the biodigester will power its own electrical needs, heat its own tanks, supply electricity to the farm's machine shop and other buildings, and heat several of the buildings.
"We're heating the waste to 100 degrees Fahrenheit," says Sarah Lineberry, project manager. "Twice a week we remove samples and send them to a lab for analysis. When the data is right, we'll know the conditions in the tank are right for the bacteria we're trying to proliferate."
That bacteria breaks down the waste to form the biogas that powers the boiler, and a micro wind turbine and a reciprocating engine that both produce electrical and thermal power.
Two by-products of the treated waste are nutrient-rich water for irrigation, and a fibrous, nearly odorless material the farm will use as bedding for the cows.
"The vision is to show farmers and other organic waste streams, such as food processors, that this is something viable they can do," Lehti says. "Michigan really needs a [state policy to promote] renewable energy so we can get a better return on these projects and facilitate getting these projects on board."
A $1 million grant from the Michigan Public Service Commission partially funded the $2.7 million project. The farm will invest $1.7 million.
Source: Jessica Lehti, Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center
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Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected].
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