News Manure
'Investing in fermented manure must be more attractive'
ABN Amro sees mono-manure fermentation as 'a breakthrough innovation'. According to the bank, it should become more attractive for livestock farmers to invest in this in order to 'help accelerate the government's target production of 2 billion cubic meters of green gas in 2030'.
In a report the bank writes that for a farm of more than three hundred cows, fermentation in combination with upgrading biogas to green gas is promising and offers an acceptable payback period from 175 cows in combination with power generation. For farms with fewer cows, it is only feasible to ferment manure together with other dairy farmers.
“The manure from two cows produces enough green gas to supply an average household with gas,” the bank said. "At the same time, mono-manure fermentation reduces the direct emissions of methane from manure. This combination reduces greenhouse gas emissions from milk production by at least 17%. In addition, mono-manure fermentation reduces nitrogen emissions in the form of ammonia from the stable by 40%. If the remainder If fermentation (digestate) is also post-treated (nitrogen strips), ammonia emissions at company level are even halved. Furthermore, fermentation helps to close the mineral cycle better, improves air quality in the stable and can offer a new revenue model to livestock farmers."
Predictable income is important
However, according to the bank, it must become more attractive for livestock farmers to invest in mono-fermentation. According to the bank, stable and predictable income from the SDE subsidy or from green certificates (Guarantees of Origin) plays an important role. "The government's intention to impose a blending obligation of 1,6 billion cubic meters of green gas for energy producers can help with this, but is not yet a reality," said Pierre Berntsen, Director of Agricultural Companies at the bank, in a press release. "If government policy remains the same, according to our calculations, the potential for green gas from mono-manure fermentation will be 2030 billion cubic meters per year from 0,26. However, we expect that under more favorable conditions, production of up to 0,44 billion cubic meters is feasible."
The bank also believes that the granting of permits for stable systems with daily manure removal should be accelerated. "These systems reduce methane emissions from the stable by up to 90% and nitrogen emissions by 40%. European recognition of proprietary fertilizers (Renure) is also important, because this allows minerals to be retained on the farm and the purchase of fertilizer is reduced. " In the bank's opinion, the government can also help to increase the connection capacity to power networks and the transport capacity of gas networks.
Breakthrough innovation
According to the report, mono-manure fermentation is 'not the holy grail, but it is a breakthrough innovation that we are happy to support'. The bank believes it is important that this does not lead to less grazing. The investment in a mono-digester, just like heat pumps, wind turbines and solar panels, falls under the Green Scheme, which can provide an interest benefit of 0,4%.
Linda van Eekeres
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