The potential of energy production and greenhouse gases emissions reduction of dairy farm biogas production

Abstract

Dairy farming continues to grow in Indonesia as a result of high demand of meat and dairy products. On the one hand, dairy farming has the potential benefits for farmers, rural development and national food security. On the other hand, dairy farming generates the amount of waste causing adverse impact on environment. The uptake of biogas technology provides an effective method in managing waste as well producing sustainable energy. In addition, biogas technology has the potential to reduce greenhouse gases emissions due to dairy farming activities. Biogas adoption in dairy farming potentially prevents greenhouse gases emission through manure management and fuel substitution. This paper analysed emission reduction and energy production of 5 biogas digesters which is installed in dairy farming in Pati regency, Indonesia. Results show potential energy from all biogas digesters was estimated 266,286.6 MJ year−1 while greenhouse gases emissions reduction was estimated to be 0.084 GgCO2-eq. year−1 due to biogas utilization. The emission consisted of 0.028 GgCO2-eq.year−1 from manure storage and 0.084 GgCO2-eq.year−1 from fuel replacement. Producing less emission can be an indicator that biogas is a cleaner and more efficient method compared to previous methods used by farmers in managing waste as well as in using fuels.