title: Contribution of anaerobic digesters to emissions mitigation and electricity generation under U.S. climate policy.
abstract: Livestock husbandry in the U.S. significantly contributes to many environmental problems, including the release of methane, a potent greenhouse gas (GHG). Anaerobic digesters (ADs) break down organic wastes using bacteria that produce methane, which can be collected and combusted to generate electricity. ADs also reduce odors and pathogens that are common with manure storage and the digested manure can be used as a fertilizer. There are relatively few ADs in the U.S., mainly due to their high capital costs. We use the MIT Emissions Prediction and Policy Analysis (EPPA) model to test the effects of a representative U.S. climate stabilization policy on the adoption of ADs which sell electricity and generate methane mitigation credits. Under such policy, ADs become competitive at producing electricity in 2025, when they receive methane reduction credits and electricity from fossil fuels becomes more expensive. We find that ADs have the potential to generate 5.5% of U.S. electricity.
authors.affiliation: Center for Sustainability and Global Environment, Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1710 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53726, USA. zaks@wisc.edu
authors.forename: David P M
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Zaks
authors.forename: Niven
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Winchester
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Kucharik
authors.forename: Carol C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Barford
authors.forename: Sergey
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Paltsev
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Reilly
mesh_terms: D000693:Anaerobiosis; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002244:Carbon / Q000032:analysis; D002980:Climate; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004560:Electricity; D004736:Energy-Generating Resources / Q000191:economics; D058735:Environmental Policy; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005308:Fertilizers; D005740:Gases / Q000032:analysis; D005843:Geography; D017752:Greenhouse Effect / Q000517:prevention & control; D008372:Manure / Q000032:analysis / Q000382:microbiology; D008697:Methane / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D005308:Fertilizers; D005740:Gases; D008372:Manure; D002244:Carbon; D008697:Methane