Discourse on Technical Advancements from BioCycle REFOR17 Conference
In October 2017, the BioCycle REFOR17 event took place in Portland, Oregon, serving as a platform for presentations related to the AgSTAR program, biomethane, and anaerobic digestion (AD) technologies. The event attracted stakeholders from various sectors, including government agencies, private companies, and dairy farmers, to discuss the latest developments in dairy methane initiatives and biomethane production.
The AgSTAR program, managed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), was a significant focus of the event. Presentations highlighted increased adoption of AD systems on dairies and livestock farms, with ongoing technical assistance and funding opportunities helping overcome economic and operational barriers. The program’s focus is shifting towards integrating biomethane production for injection into natural gas pipelines, expanding beyond onsite electricity generation.
A significant theme at BioCycle REFOR17 was the growing market for biomethane as a renewable natural gas (RNG) source. Presenters emphasized innovative models for upgrading raw biogas from digesters to pipeline-quality biomethane, which can provide higher revenue streams and boost farm economics. Challenges related to regulatory permitting, infrastructure connectivity, and consistent gas quality standards remain critical focus areas.
New AD projects in the Pacific Northwest, particularly Washington and Oregon, demonstrate wide varieties of feedstocks, including dairy manure, food waste, and crop residues. Integration of co-digestion strategies boosts biogas yields and overall system economics. Technology improvements such as enhanced biogas cleaning, digester monitoring systems, and automation help increase operational stability and reduce maintenance.
Regional initiatives in these states showed a focus on voluntary methane reduction programs coupled with educational outreach and funding through state energy offices and utilities. Programs incentivize farms to install AD systems, with some piloting biomethane production for transportation fuel. In the Northeast, active dairy methane capture projects participate in multi-state climate initiatives and carbon credit markets. Notably, states like New York and Vermont are integrating dairy methane projects into broader renewable energy and greenhouse gas reduction goals.
Case studies revealed improved environmental outcomes alongside profitability gains for local farms, highlighting the importance of policy support and technical assistance. The BioCycle REFOR17 discussions underscored methane reduction from dairies and livestock farms as a critical pathway to meet regional and national climate goals. Increased collaboration between the AgSTAR program, state agencies, utilities, and private sector is accelerating adoption of biomethane-producing AD systems.
Continued efforts are needed to scale these technologies through improved funding access, clear regulatory frameworks, and robust market mechanisms. Other publications from October 2017, such as the Biomethane RNG Roadmap for Washington State, The Biogas RNG Resource Potential in Oregon SB 334, Anaerobic Digestion Trends and Successes in the U.S., the CDFA Dairy Methane Initiatives, and Advancing Digester Development in the Northeast, further support the momentum towards a more sustainable and renewable energy future.
- The AgSTAR program, managed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is shifting its focus towards integrating biomethane production for injection into natural gas pipelines, aligning with the growing market for biomethane as a renewable natural gas (RNG) source in the environmental science field.
- Emerging AD projects in the Pacific Northwest, like those in Washington and Oregon, demonstrate varied feedstocks such as dairy manure, food waste, and crop residues, with technology advancements, like enhanced biogas cleaning and digester monitoring systems, improving operational stability and reducing maintenance.
- Regional initiatives in states like Oregon and Washington are focusing on voluntary methane reduction programs and incentivizing farms to install AD systems, which can produce biomethane for transportation fuel, harnessing the power of data-and-cloud-computing technologies to accelerate the adoption of these biomethane-producing technologies.
