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Anaerobic Digester Alternative Energy Technologies. Investigators: John Cuttica , Steffen Mueller, Cliff Haefke (Energy Resources Center) Primary Grant Support: U.S. Department of Energy, Blue Moon Fund, Illinois DCEO.
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Anaerobic Digester Alternative Energy Technologies Investigators: John Cuttica, Steffen Mueller, Cliff Haefke (Energy Resources Center) Primary Grant Support: U.S. Department of Energy, Blue Moon Fund, Illinois DCEO • Anaerobic digesters provide the necessary conditions to foster the natural occurring decomposition of organic matter by bacteria in the absence of oxygen. • Anaerobic digestion provides an effective method for treating the waste products from livestock farming, food processing, and waste water treatment industries into: • Biogas that can be used to provide heat and/or electricity, injected into the natural gas pipeline, or converted to a compressed or liquid transportation fuel • Solids (fiber) that can be used as compost, animal bedding, granule fertilizer, and/or medium density fiberboard • Liquid (filtrate) for liquid fertilizer land application Source: US EPA AgStar • The ERC fosters anaerobic digester alternative energy project identification and implementation in the 12 state Midwest region through targeted education, unbiased information, and technical assistance. • The ERC, working closely with each of the State Energy Offices and State Agriculture Departments, has formed partnerships with the anaerobic digester stakeholders in the Midwest. • The ERC has implemented a full gamut of outreach services, including web site, targeted market workshops, project profiles, site technical and financial analyses, and specialty reports. • Since 2004, the ERC has co-organized and/or co-sponsored 10 waste-to-energy workshops on anaerobic digester technologies and their market applications in the agriculture, food processing, and wastewater treatment industries reaching over 1,200 interested attendees: IA (2), IL (2), IN (3), OH (2), and MI (1). • The ERC has completed 10 technical feasibility assessments and 12 project profiles on anaerobic digester alternative energy projects. • The Midwest has experienced an increase in anaerobic digester/biogas fueled CHP systems – over 40 installations totaling more than 37 MW of clean power