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Biogas is formed anytime organic waste decomposes. In the renewable energy industry, we build closed vessels called ‘anaerobic digesters’ to hold the organic waste as it decomposes. In this anaerobic environment, microscopic bacteria become very efficient at transforming carbon from a solid form, also known as organic waste, to a gas which is referred to as biogas. In essence, the bacteria are eating the waste, which is why these facilities are called ‘digesters’.

An anaerobic environment is an environment that lacks oxygen. This type of environment is essential in forming biogas because it allows for the growth and activity of anaerobic microorganisms, which break down organic matter in the absence of oxygen to produce biogas. Methanogenic bacteria are required to produce methane, and these bacteria only exist in anaerobic environments.

RNG stands for renewable natural gas. Raw biogas, as is produced in an anaerobic digester from organic waste, contains non-energy generating components. RNG is produced by cleaning these other components out of the raw biogas. RNG is an equivalent to fossil methane and can be used in the same way that conventional natural gas is used: in the natural gas pipeline or to fuel natural gas-powered vehicles. Additionally, like conventional natural gas, it is possible to compress and liquefy RNG for storage.

Biogas is the only renewable energy that targets organic waste derived from the production and consumption of food. It is part of a resource recovery ecosystem. Food production as an industry has a large carbon footprint, but anaerobic digestion is a beneficial reuse and recovery system that can be implemented at all stages of the value chain to recover waste generated by producers, consumers and everyone in between.

Biogas not only produces energy but can also improve soil health. Despite removing most carbon during anaerobic digestion, the leftover digestate still contains organic matter and nutrients that can nourish microorganisms. Land application of digestate reduces dependence on chemical fertilizers and decreases weed growth compared to non-digested manure. The Fitec Self-Cleaning Digester technology also filters out small plastic particles to prevent microplastic pollution.

Investing in a biogas facility can:

• Diversify your farm revenue - Aside from generating income from energy generation, accepting off-farm wastes can also generate income from tipping fees.

• Provide a responsible way to manage on-farm wastes such as manure - Placing this waste in the digester eliminates risks for water pollution.

• Reduce your dependence on synthetic fertilizers - land-applying digestate leads to fewer weeds than raw manure application. Digestate is also more readily integrated into the soil microbiome than raw manure or synthetic fertilizers, improving crops more quickly and for less cost.

• Generate carbon credits - Generating RNG or renewable electricity on your farm can allow your operation to be carbon negative, and to sell any extra carbon credits.

Landfills do capture some methane that is produced by waste, but the gas produced in a landfill contains a high percentage of other chemical compounds that are difficult and expensive to clean out or treat. This makes it challenging to produce a fuel that is of replacement quality for fossil natural gas. Additionally, the organic matter cannot be recovered from the landfill, whereas with anaerobic digestion, you can spread the digestate on farmland after methane production.

Contrastingly, compost facilities go through a process of aerobic decomposition, which produces heat and CO2, but not methane, and therefore, not biogas. Methane can only be produced in an anaerobic environment, which cannot be provided by compost facilities without the right equipment.