Promoting energy and resource recovery from livestock waste: Case study Yuge Farm, Japan
Delmaria Richards, Helmut Yabar
Abstract
Biogas is a valuable by-product of agricultural waste with many benefits, such as producing organic fertilizer, emission reduction, and fuel wood substitution, which facilitates decentralized electrification. This report finds that the biogasification system operating under fed-batch conditions on the Yuge Farm in Kobe, Japan, is a prime example of appropriate agricultural waste management for resource recovery, encouraging circularity, and maintaining environmental health. Currently, the two digesters on the farm supply 2400 m3 of biogas from dairy cow dung, dairy by-products, and food waste. However, amendments to substrates can increase biogas production to 13,166.01 m3 per year with an electrical energy potential of 2843.20 kWh/year, contrary to the current output of 518.28 kWh/year, consequently displacing fossil fuel-based electricity. Furthermore, greenhouse gas emissions from dairy cow manure management are equivalent to 7051.35 kgCO2e/year, with current avoided grid emissions amounting to 241.14 kgCO2e/kWh/year. However, the proposed scenario increases it to 1324.36 kgCO2e/kWh/yr. The report indicates that the model is appropriate for global adaptation to improve manure management, as collected residues are appropriate for enhancing electricity generation, reducing emissions, and redesigning small-scale animal husbandry for long-lasting stability.