A Historical Perspective of Biogas Production: Have Things Changed?

Back in 2015 a survey of six California dairy producers, conducted for the US EPA, revealed significant challenges with anaerobic digester systems. 

The majority of producers surveyed had discontinued using the technology due to issues like poor design, logistical problems with manure handling, and lack of cooperation from electric companies. 

The survey highlighted the high management demands and economic risks associated with anaerobic digesters, suggesting that improved electricity pricing and better collaboration with electric companies could incentivize their adoption. 

Additionally, producers pointed to the potential for income from solid by-products and the fertilizer value of effluent streams as key benefits to emphasize.

In only 10 years (today in 2025) things have changed dramatically for the better for biogas technology.

The following is our article as it was when first we published it in 2007:

Have things really changed that much from the article below, from the sentiments expressed by those who installed agricultural AD Plants, more than 10 years ago?

Let's get some discussion going! Email us your Feedback to info@anaerobic-digestion.com .

Here is the article from May 1995:

Anaerobic Digester Survey of California Dairy Producers

D. Morse 1, J. C. Guthrie 1, and R. Mutters 2
1 Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis 95616-8521
2 University of California Cooperative Extension, 2279 Del Oro Avenue, Suite B, Oroville 95965

We conducted a survey to identify for the US Environmental Protection Agency examples of and reasons for the failure of many previously installed methane recovery systems. Six dairy producers participated in this survey.

 

Installation costs of systems ranged from $100,000 to $950,000. Three producers have continued their dairy operations but no longer use methane recovery technology. Two producers were favorable to the technology but no longer operate a dairy.

Of those surveyed, only one producer continues to use methane recovery technology. Identified problems associated with unsuccessful operations included poor design, collection of manure in a wet form, and incomplete cooperation from electric companies.

Producers found that the technology required intense management and was economically risky. Increased cooperation between electric companies and small producers of electricity and greater prices paid for electricity might provide positive economic incentives that would encourage methane recovery and electricity generation.

One producer indicated that the benefits from anaerobic digester technology to be emphasized to potential users were income from sales of final solids and that nutrient value of both solid and liquid effluent streams as fertilizer sources.

Is this how it is now, or have the recent recent developments made a difference? Will the encouragement by improved ROCs payments in May's White Paper for the UK, make the difference? Why not give us your thoughts! If you give us your views and agreement to publish, suitable material can also be featured here in our future postings, and on our web site.

We would love to hear your thoughts and insights in the comments section of this blog post!

Let's discuss:

1. How have technological advancements in anaerobic digester technology since the original survey addressed the design and operational issues faced by California dairy producers?
2. Have improvements in digester design, automation, and monitoring systems made these technologies more reliable and less management-intensive?
3. Given the economic risks highlighted in the survey, how have changes in electricity pricing, government subsidies, and carbon credit markets impacted the economic viability of anaerobic digesters for dairy farms?
4. Specifically relating to the UK, will the improved ROCs (Renewable Obligation Certificates) payments outlined in the recent White Paper effectively incentivize the adoption of anaerobic digestion?
5. How does the current market for digestate, as a fertilizer, affect the bottom line of running an Anaerobic Digester?
6. Considering the survey's identification of a lack of cooperation from electric companies, what steps have been taken to improve collaboration between dairy producers and electric utilities regarding grid connection and power purchase agreements?
7. What are the current barriers for small producers to connect to the electricity grid?
8. Beyond improved electricity pricing, what policy changes or incentives could further encourage the adoption of anaerobic digesters in the dairy industry?
9. How does the regulatory environment, concerning the emissions of Methane, affect the adoption of Anaerobic Digesters?
10. How have the markets for digestate, both liquid and solid, changed since the survey?
11. What new uses are being found for digestate?