Biogas Energy Potential
in Florida
Ann C. Wilkie
Soil and Water Science Department
University of Florida – IFAS
acwilkie@ufl.edu
Renewable Energy Workshop
Florida Public Service Commission
January 19, 2007
Biogas Cycle
Solar energy
Photosynthesis
Animal husbandry
Crop harvesting
CO2
Industrial processing
H2O
Human consumption
Energy
crops
Organic
wastes
Biofertilizer
Biogas
Anaerobic
digestion
Electrical and/or
thermal energy
ANAEROBIC DIGESTION
The microbial degradation of organic
compounds, in the absence of oxygen,
to biogas – a mixture of:
• Methane (50 to 70%)
• CO2 (30 to 50%)
• trace amounts of H2, NH3, and H2S.
LIQUEFACTION
PHASE
COMPLEX
ORGANIC
MATTER
GASIFICATION
PHASE
SIMPLE
ORGANICS
ACETATE
H2 / CO2
ACIDOGENS
METHANOGENS
METHANE and CARBON DIOXIDE
LOW ODOR EFFLUENT
FEEDSTOCKS
•
•
•
•
•
Animal manures
Industrial wastewaters
Municipal wastewaters
Municipal solid wastes
Energy crops / crop residues
BENEFITS OF ANAEROBIC DIGESTION
• Renewable energy
• BOD/COD reduction
• Odor reduction
• Pathogen reduction
• Nutrient conservation
• Greenhouse gas reduction
BIOGAS – A BIOENERGY VECTOR
• Direct Utilization (Heat / Steam)
• Conversion to Bioelectricity (CHP)
• Natural Gas Pipeline
• Vehicular fuel
• Fuel Cells
• Methanol
• Biodiesel
Biogas as fuel
Water
heater at
UF-IFAS
Dairy
powered
by
manure
biogas
Natural Gas Bus - Brisbane
BIOGAS
PLANT
CORE
TECHNOLOGY
DISTILLATION
ETHANOL
FERMENTATION
BIOGAS
STILLAGE
ANAEROBIC
DIGESTION
Biomass Energy Crop
SUNLIGHT
WATER
Green Grass to
Green Gas
CO2
CO2
Energy
Crops
Biogas
Plant
Biofertilizer
WATER
Methane
Florida Biogas Potential from Selected Sources: Annual Estimates
Biomass
or
Waste Source
Energy Production
Natural Gas Equivalent
(billion cu ft)
Electricity Equivalent
(Megawatts)
Municipal wastewater 1
5.52
63
Dairy manure 1
2.96
34
Poultry manure 1
2.7
31
MSW 1
27.5
314
Energy crops 2
167
1908
205.7
2350
Total
Time to Implement: 1 Immediate (1-5 years), 2 Near term (5-7 years)
Biogas is a sustainable
energy solution that is:
• Renewable
• Carbon dioxide neutral
• Locally based
thereby protecting the environment,
creating jobs and strengthening
local economies.
Biogas power provides …
• Energy independence
– Renewable natural gas
• Energy reliability
– Based on locally based feedstocks
IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES
• Net metering
• Surplus sales agreement
• Standby charge
• Rate schedule
• Interconnection
Biogas Energy Potential
in Florida
Ann C. Wilkie
Soil and Water Science Department
University of Florida – IFAS
acwilkie@ufl.edu
Renewable Energy Workshop
Florida Public Service Commission
January 19, 2007