Description:
Fermentation of animal manure and co-fermentation with other products have the strong attention of the agricultural sector in the Netherlands. The process can contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and meeting the Kyoto target for the Netherlands.
The overall sustainability of co-fermentation is depending on 3 factors:
1. the amount of energy it may generate (People)
2. the effect on the emission of Green House Gas (GHG, Planet)
3. its cost effectiveness (Profit)
Research objectives:
The aim of this project is to set guidelines by using existing knowledge on the integrated assessment of the environmental impacts of co-fermentation of manure and organic products and processing of digestate, by using a transparent, objective and robust tool that can be used for assessment of scenarios and to support decision making in collaboration with stakeholders.
Results and products:
A tool (in Excel) to calculate the overall sustainability of co-fermentation has been developed. Currently, the sustainability of two types of manure (pig slurry and cattle slurry) and several types of co-substrate products (e.g. maïze, potato fibers, glycerin, etc) can be assessed regarding energy and GHG. The effects regarding economics will introduced in 2009. It is possible to expand the tool with other co-substrate products. In the course of 2009 the tool will be accessible from the internet. |
