University Research

Decarbonization Avenue University research @ CLIMAX

Harnessing biomass, manure to fuel farms through multi-institutional project

Objective/theme

Researchers are developing new ways for farmers to produce renewable natural gas that could be used as an energy source both on and off farms.

Process & benefits

The project centers on anaerobic digestion, or the process by which microorganisms break down biomatter and produce biogas, which is mostly methane, the main component of natural gas.

With new separation technologies, biogas can be upgraded to renewable natural gas and distributed through the gas pipeline network, much like renewable electricity is distributed through the electrical grid.