Nata Farms Inc.
Quick Facts
| Project proponent | Joe Bifano started his farm in 1960 with just 30 cows which is now a 1,250 mature cow dairy farm |
| Location | Nata Farms Inc. (5385 Back Enderby Rd, Armstrong, BC) map |
| Technology supplier | ReNew Energy, partnering with Quadrogen Power Systems Inc. - A Vancouver based clean energy system developer. |
| Digester description | Thermophilic digester |
| Feedstock | Manure from 1,250 cows and young stock as well as brewery waste and chicken daf. |
| Output uses | On-farm electricity and heat, cow bedding and organic compost |
| Additional benefits | Nutrient rich liquid digestate will be stored in a lagoon and applied on land |
| Greatest challenge | Lack of location specific information |
| Progress to date | 8/10 |
| Anticipated commissioning | January 2011 |
Biography
Joe Bifano started his dairy farm back in 1960 with just 30 cows. Today he runs a 1,250 mature cow dairy operation in Armstrong, BC.
Details
How did you first hear about AD?
Nata Farms Inc. first learned about anaerobic digestion from a friend whose brother lives in Holland. They first decided to adopt the technology primarily because of the environmental benefits and increased crop production that results from applying the liquid digestate onto the fields. Since making their decision, Nata Farms Inc. has discovered many more social and economic farm and community benefits that result from anaerobic digestion adoption.
Digester location
Nata Farms Inc. will build the digester on the farm. This farm is located at 5385 Back Enderby Rd, Armstrong BC V0E 1B8 (in the municipality of Spallumcheen between Armstrong BC and Enderby BC). This is located in the North Okanagan, almost ½ ways between Vancouver, BC and Calgary, AB.
Digester description
The project will consist of a thermophilic anaerobic digester. Thermophilic digesters operate at a temperature range of 50°- 58°c, which is much higher than the mesophilic digester technology more commonly used in North America (mesophilic digesters operate at a temperature range of 33°- 38°c).
Nata Farms Inc. has selected a company out of Denmark, ReNew Energy, for their engineering design due to the companies’ extensive experience in designing and operationing thermophilic digesters. Nata Farms Inc. has also have partnered with Quadrogen Power Systems. Quadrogen Power Systems will use the excess biogas, through their innovative fuel cell and H2 booster (also located on farm), to produce electricity and/or hydrogen gas.
Feedstock
Nata Farms Inc.’s digester will digest manure from the farms 1,250 mature cows and young stock. The digester will also digest non-agricultural waste streams, including brewery waste and chicken daf. These additional feedstocks will result in higher biogas yields.
Output use
The two main outputs of the digester will be biogas and digestate. Nata Farms Inc. will purchase a small cogeneration plant to produce electricity for the farm needs. The dry digestate will go through an additional drying process and 60% of it will be utilized as bedding for the cows, while the remainder will be sold as organic compost. The nutrient rich liquid digestate will be stored in a lagoon and land applied as per regulations.
Project difficulties
To date, the greatest challenges Nata Farms Inc. have experienced are:
- A lack of credible information as to the type of digesters suitable for the climate in Spallumcheen and a lack of people who can substantiate their claims.
- Difficulties acquiring actual project costs breakdown without having to pay substantial fees for the information.
- Finding the right equipment suppliers that provide adequate and affordable service contracts.
- Lack of regulations and knowledge (this has improved considerably in the past year and draft regulations with MOE have been written).
- Lack of utility company programs that embrace small renewable energy producers.
What could be done to help reduce these difficulties?
Some of these frustrations would be reduced if there was a public website or center that collated available publications and information. This website/centre is necessary because it is very time consuming to find the appropriate anaerobic digestion information.
The information at this website/centre should include other’s experiences with anaerobic digestion, anaerobic digestion dos and don’ts, anaerobic digestion equipment companies and experiences, emissions and environmental information, the impact of different climate conditions on anaerobic digestion, and a list of suitable references. Furthermore, there should be detailed project cost information so that those who are considering a project that is different from most others can still determine their own potential costs. This information should relate to North America.
Furthermore, while government and utility companies appear to support small projects such as this, the programs that have been created and the costs producer are expected to pay tells a different story. Therefore, it is imperative that government and utility companies re-examine their support to see if it is really going to promote anaerobic digestion adoption in rural areas.
On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being excellent) how would you describe progress to date?
Currently an eight, but it has taken many years to get here.
Expected project milestones
- Funding applications submitted – expected approvals April, 2010.
- BC Ministry of Environment Permit and Federal Environmental Assessment application completed and submitted – expected to be submitted by February, 2010 and expected approvals April, 2010.
- Engineered design completion – April/May, 2010.
- Agriculture Land commission application – March, 2010.
- Agriculture Land commission approvals and building permit – expected approval April/May 2010.
- Equipment Procurement – May/June, 2010.
- Land preparation and excavation – June/July, 2010.
- Construction start – July, 2010.
- Construction completion and start-up – January 2011.
Do you have any advice to others potential digester operators?
Have considerable patience and visit existing sites and different styles of digesters to see which one will work best for your farm. Be aware of those that have some limited expertise and make claims they cannot support. Think outside the box and find alternate uses for the energy rather than just selling it to the grid.
