The anaerobic digesters will convert dairy cow manure into renewable natural gas
Brightmark will construct new anaerobic digesters at four Larson family dairy farms (Credit: Brightmark Energy, LLC.)
San Francisco-based Brightmark Energy has collaborated with central Florida’s four dairy farms to construct and manage three anaerobic digesters.
The anaerobic digesters will be used to convert 230,000 tonnes of dairy manure from 9,900 cows into renewable natural gas.
Brightmark will take responsibility for the development of the new biogas project. It will also own and operate the project.
Brightmark to build new anaerobic digesters at four Larson family dairy farms
Under the project, the company will construct new anaerobic digesters at four Larson family dairy farms in Okeechobee County.
The two farms are owned by Larson Dairy, while the other two are owned by JM Larson.
The digesters are expected to generate around 171,000 MMBtu of renewable natural gas per annum, upon completion of the project. The local interstate gas pipeline system will be used to deliver the generated biogas.
Brightmark Energy CEO Bob Powell said: “We’re proud to partner with the Larson family, who have a long history as dairy industry leaders in Florida.
“Projects like these help to provide additional revenue streams for farmers, reduce local air and water impacts and enhance the sustainability efforts of farmers, so this project is a win for the farmers and the local community.”
Anaerobic digestion of dairy cow manure will help significantly minimise greenhouse gas emissions. The process avoids releasing methane greenhouse gas into the atmosphere.
The project is believed to reduce the net greenhouse gas emissions from processed dairy manure at a rate of 57,400 metric tons per year.
Currently, Brightmark operates projects in Washington, Wisconsin, and New York. The firm’s biogas projects will produce renewable natural gas to drive a bus 16,281,400 miles each year, once the Larson project becomes operational at the end of 2021.
The firm is also involved in the development of similar biogas projects across the world.
Florida Senate Agriculture Committee chair and Senator Ben Albritton said: “We’re happy to welcome Brightmark Energy to Okeechobee County for such an innovative and important project partnering with our local dairy community.”