For businesses with complex agricultural supply chains, reducing scope 3 emissions through methane reductions in manure management projects within their value chains is a practical opportunity for scalable decarbonization. While investments in scope 3 reduction play a vitally important role in an effective corporate decarbonization strategy, the benefits of investing in value chain interventions begin long before the crediting process. As one family of Pennsylvania hog farmers discovered, harnessing the power of biogas to generate renewable electricity can provide significant benefits at the hog barn and beyond.
With over 20,000 hogs, manure management is a major problem on Remley Farms in Roaring Branch, PA. With growing pressure to diversify revenue streams beyond swine production, owners Drew and Lisa Remley saw the construction of their biodigester as a way to streamline their costly manure management process while investing in the future of their family farm.
The financial decision to invest in manure management was complex, as many of the benefits of the biodigester, such as reducing noxious odor in the local community, providing an ecologically superior fertilizer, and improving water quality, are hard to put a price tag on. That’s where the additional revenue from renewable energy sales and carbon credits came in: through the sale of carbon credits produced by the biodigester, the Remley’s were able to both ensure the project’s ongoing financial viability while reducing the energy expenses for their swine operation.
By utilizing manure as a means of renewable energy generation, the Remley Farm biodigester turns one of the most significant challenges of swine farming–manure management–into a source of revenue generation. First, manure is stored for several months in pits placed below the hog barns. During this anaerobic storage period, the manure is deprived of oxygen. Once the manure has produced a significant amount of methane, it is then transferred to the anaerobic biodigester. From there, the harvested methane emissions are sent to a generator where they are converted into renewable electricity.
For the Remley’s, the implementation of the biodigester has eliminated their on-site energy bills. Additionally, the revenue from carbon credits has ensured the ongoing financial feasibility of this advanced manure management practice. The result is a more resilient and future-proofed hog operation that has allowed Drew and Lisa to provide full-time employment to their adult children, creating opportunities for the next generation of Pennsylvania family swine farmers.
PROJECT TYPE: Anaerobic Biodigester
ONLINE DATE: 2018
LOCATION: Roaring Branch, PA
VERIFICATION: Climate Action Reserve (CAR)
RELATED SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGS): This project contributes directly to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations:
The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are an urgent call for action by countries in global partnership to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.
For swine operations, renewable energy provides substantial co-benefits
As swine farmers continue to grapple with the environmental impact and methane emissions associated with the standard practice of disposing of manure into open lagoons, anaerobic digesters offer a sustainable alternative. Beyond the delivery of targeted methane emissions reductions, anaerobic biodigesters deliver substantial economic, environmental, and health-related co-benefits
Traditional manure management solutions can result in nutrient loading of local waterways, which can ultimately result in eutrophication and decreased water quality. Comparatively, anaerobic biodigesters produce a more targeted fertilizer by-product that can significantly reduce the impacts of nutrient loading and eutrophication. Through the implementation of anaerobic biodigesters, farmers can limit their use of traditional fertilizers and reduce the negative impacts of agriculture on local waterways.
By implementing anaerobic biodigesters, swine producers can create additional income, providing the resources necessary to maintain and scale their operations. Typically costing between $5-20 million to install, biodigesters produce an effluent that can be used both as organic fertilizer and animal bedding. In addition, carbon credits–sourced from methane emissions avoided through the use of the biodigester–create a valuable revenue stream that supports ongoing economic viability and revenue diversification.
Digesters reduce manure odor both on the farm and in the local community–a significant win for health and livability around large-scale swine operations.
Ready to decarbonize your pork production value chain?
For the Remley family, climate action meant improved operational processes, lower manure management costs, and the ability to diversify revenue streams and build a sustainable, scalable future for their family business.
What will climate action mean for your business?
For businesses with complex agricultural value chains, 3Degrees offers access to innovative decarbonization strategies built on over two decades of experience. Through collaboration with our team of experts, 3Degrees provides leading businesses the opportunities they need to meet ambitious climate goals. Contact 3Degrees, and learn how your business can take urgent climate action today.
