Cow Power for Energy Independence in New York

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New York State leads the nation in yogurt production which depends on milk production. We are in top 3 milk producing states and farm businesses are key to our rural economy. With higher number of cows comes a lot of manure waste production and environmental concerns within the watershed. Urban population and neighbors complaint about odors created when manure is applied to farm land. The farm businesses also face high energy costs and wish to manage and control this expense. These problems were recognized and became the basis for NYS funding programs to help solve these problems and help in the economic development.

Climate change requires reduction in green house gas emissions to atmosphere and Methane from farms is know to be a problem that will soon require compliance with upcoming US EPA requirements. Similarly surface runoff from the farms is containing pollution in the form of organics and nutrients. Anaerobic digesters are ideal solution but costly to implement based on the price quotes from International companies and many German and Dutch companies are active in USA and have built the digesters at significantly high cost for those large farms that can afford it. Most studies have shown that small medium size farms are not in a position to afford it. This condition can be changed by adopting simple processes and using locally procured labor and materials.

We are happy to announce that this dream of an affordable digester has come true recently at Spruce Haven Dairy Farm in Cayuga county NY, where a 1.5 million gallon "lagoon based in- ground" digester and 500 KW co-generation system has been constructed within the NYSERDA grant budget of $2 Million Dollars. The system was started up in July 2014 and by September it was making more Bio gas than projected and the engine generator is consistently operating above 95% design capacity. This farm has over 2500 cows feeding the manure to the digester at a flow rate of about 100,000 GPD, including the flushing wash water from sand removal system.

A high efficiency digester built and operating successfully at a capital cost of under $800 per cow is great example for many dairy farms that in New York State it is now possible to solve your problems and become net energy producer by supplying excess power to the Grid.

The Farm in Cayuga County NY is open for field trips for other farmer to see the system and its operation. Energy and Environmental issues can be addressed with the financial help from NYSERDA and USDA as these businesses seek affordable solutions. Spruce Haven farm has achieved Energy Independence for their electric consumption by producing more energy than what they use. They look forward to making RNG- bio-fuel for the trucks by cleaning and compressing the bio gas as renewable transportation fuel in near future.

New Projects like this can help us meet the climate change goals for renewable energy and also help in economic development in rural America.

Green Construction Loans are Essential for Building Green Energy Projects

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Imagine getting a Reimbursable grant of  93% of the Capital cost and still unable to build the farm Anaerobic Digester system to treat waste and make green power. Unfortunately this is a reality in New York State.

Most of the lenders do not understand Digesters and have no risk tolerance for such technology when the grant is offered as collateral. So how do you get a construction loan? Where to go? These are the challenges why so many farmers who have the manure disposal problems can not take advantage of the Grants.

It looks like the Federal USDA is listening to these issues and establishing a large loan fund that can be used for building the system with 70% loan amount against 30% local loan and equity. This potential "USDA - REAP renewable energy funding assistance program"  could be extremely beneficial and capable of creating a wave of economic development across Rural America.

Let us hope this succeeds and soon rural communities and small businesses will be able to gain Energy Independence by building their own Green power generation systems.

Infrastructure investments by the federal Govt. in our communities are essential to replace war funding and create jobs back home so returning Vets can have a job making green energy.

Better days may be ahead for energy Independence at the rural Farms and communities.

What are we willing to pay for Energy Independence?

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Climate change and Global warming are getting more accepted by people and there is willingness to take action to prevent future problems. There are now incentives available in New York State to help generate Green power with Solar PV and  farm waste digestion. These measures are good for the environment but sometime financially challenging to justify the investment.

Review of past movements related to freedom and independence clearly indicate the suffering and hardship by the people who supported it. It was the common good that prevailed and inspired the action.

Energy Independence should be the same for better long term results. If the cost is marginally higher today but cheaper in future then we should be willing to make this sacrifice or investment for the better future for next generation.
However, in reality people are willing to do it if it saves money TODAY.

It will take leadership and better communication of the dangers of inaction to increase greater participation. NY State is giving a positive push to this effort by including Green funding in the Development plan starting in 2013.
This will allow us to take a lead in this area as compared to rest of USA.

The Governor of  New York State should be congratulated for taking some bold action on promoting Green under the New York Rising program.

New York Sun Rising- a message for Sustainability

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For New Yorkers the state of the State address by our Governor Cuomo brings a message of hope and commitment for economic development. This bold strategy recognizes the value of Green renewable energy and how action must be taken to deal with Climate change.

Yesterday was the warmest day with temperatures in Finger Lakes approaching 60 F on January 12th. The snow is just about gone and green lawns are reminding us that our climate has changed and Global warming is also a reality.

The question is whether we act proactively to prevent future problems or react to problems when they happen? Sandy has left a multi Billion dollars damage for New York and New Jersey. What are where we may see similar or lot worse natural disasters?

New York is now investing in Green Energy technology with the new development plan as outlined in 2013 last week's Speech by Governor Cuomo. Solar and Farm waste digester energy are key element of this plan. This is lot safer approach to implement than our search for drilled oil and natural gas.
It is our hope that we do not settle for the old easy way with strong push from very strong and expensive lobby from established petroleum industry. This is the time to be pragmatic and use the revenues from nonrenewable sources to invest in developing renewable energy from solar, wind and bio gas digesters.

We are fortunate to have Leaders that have long term vision and are willing to take action to protect and preserve the environment. Sun Rising in NY brings new meaning to the State. Many communities now have an opportunity to become Energy Independent for serving their Municipal facilities.

It feels good  to be a New Yorker. Thank you Governor Cuomo for your Leadersip.

New York announces funding incentives to dairy farmers to produce renewable power from waste

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December 26th was a great day for New York dairy farmers or food processing plants as NYSERDA, an agency announced their program opportunity notice PON 2684. approx 29 million dollars are available on "First come first served" basis to applicants with max grant of 2 million dollars each.
Many smart farmers will take action fast to solve their waste disposal and energy problem by building anaerobic digesters and cogen system fired by biogas. Energy produced from their waste can now power the dairy farm and make them energy independent. The grant incentive will enable these farmers to require lower capital and improve the economic feasibility of the project.
Early bird catches the worm. Do not wait too long. Apply now because by February the money will be gone.

Tax Incentives for Biofuels from Organic Wastes

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There are existing federal incentives for renewable fuels such as Ethanol made from Corn, food waste, Waste oil and Grease and other biomass as defined by EPA. Ethanol or bio diesel made from waste is certainly better than making it from consumer farm products such as Corn and Soybean. It is a good idea to provide federal and State incentives for making such liquid auto fuels that can replace conventional non renewable fuels such as Gasoline and Diesel fuel.

Considering the ample supply of natural gas and potential to extract large volumes from deep wells, the economic value of bio gas would stay flat and does not provide sufficient incentive for construction of farm digesters. The Dairy farms need to deal with environmental issues related to disposal of cow manure.Technology exists to clean the Bio gas and compress it to produce BIO-CNG that can fuel the farm vehicles and other public vehicles. It is time to extend the renewable fuel standards and allow the production of BIO-CNG with similar tax credit as the Bio diesel or Ethanol from Biomass.
We need all possible sources of auto fuels made from wastes to help solve the energy and environmental problems and be energy independent.

Help the Farmers - "Carrots are better than Stick"

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I read a report from Sierra club addressing the environmental issues in Finger Lakes area. They stated that larger farms called CAFO's raise thousands of animals and contain huge amounts of manure stored in lagoons.Conventional approach to address potential issue of pollution is to hire more Government employees to monitor these farms and fine them for violations.
What could be a Greener approach that can provide better results?
These farms are agribusinesses that create jobs and help local economy. Why not ask the existing government agencies to work together and help them implement renewable energy generation system that can convert manure waste into bio-gas and power generation. For example in New York State- the Empire State development and County Industrial Development Agencies could work with Environmental Facilities Corporation(EFC) and seek the Revolving loan funds for Anaerobic Digester project implementation.The loan gets repaid from the savings in energy costs and waste gets treated so it does not smell or cause pollution. This would be the carrot approach.
Which one is better? Any comments?
Ram