National greenhouse gas emissions reduction potential from adopting anaerobic digestion on large-scale dairy farms in the United States

Leytem, A.B. (2024) National greenhouse gas emissions reduction potential from adopting anaerobic digestion on large-scale dairy farms in the United States. Environmental Science and Technology. 2 July 2024. pp. A-K.

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Abstract

Waste-to-energy systems can provide a functional demonstration of the economic and environmental benefits of circularity, innovation, and reimagining existing systems. This study offers a robust quantification of the greenhouse gas reduction potential of industry-level adoption of anaerobic digestion (AD) technology on large-scale dairy farms in the contiguous United States. National GHG reduction estimates were developed through a robust life cycle modeling framework considering 20 dairy configurations that capture important differences in housing and manure management practices, applicable AD technologies, regional climates, storage cleanout schedules, and methods of land application. Results illustrate the potential for AD adoption to reduce GHG emissions from the dairy industry by 2.90 million metric tonnes (MMT) of CO2-eq per year considering current economic barriers, and as much as 5.17 MMT of CO2-eq per year with economic barriers removed. At the farm level, AD technology may reduce GHG emissions from manure management systems by 55-77% depending on the region. Discussion focuses on regional differences in GHG emissions from manure management strategies and the challenges and opportunities surrounding AD adoption.

Item Type:	Article
NWISRL Publication Number:	1789
Subjects:	Manure
Depositing User:	Users 11 not found.
Date Deposited:	15 Jul 2024 21:03
Last Modified:	15 Jul 2024 21:03
Item ID:	1831
URI:	https://eprints.nwisrl.ars.usda.gov/id/eprint/1831