Anaergia and Fonterra boost decarbonization in dairy with renewable electricity and E-milk tanker

19 Jul 2022 --- Amid a global energy crisis, Anaergia is preparing to construct a biogas plant in Okayama, Japan, for Toyo Energy Solution to produce renewable electricity using biogas made by anaerobically digesting cow manure from Okayama Prefecture farms. The company touts the plant as “Japan’s largest cow manure to renewable energy facility.”

“Wastes such as manure, sewage biosolids and food scraps create two-thirds of all point source methane emissions, a greenhouse gas 85 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Stopping these methane emissions from waste must be a central tactic in curbing global warming,” says Andrew Benedek, chairman and CEO at Anaergia. 

Clean power
The plant is expected to prevent approximately 13,500 metric tons of CO2e (carbon dioxide emissions) from the manure and from fossil fuels that would have been used to generate the power. This will be done by anaerobic digestion of 250 metric tons of cow manure – out of which the biogas will fuel a combined heat and power generator system. The system is said to produce 1.2 megawatts of “clean, renewable electricity,” enough to power 2,200 homes annually. Credit: Anaergia.

The system is said to produce 1.2 megawatts of “clean, renewable electricity,” which will be enough to power 2,200 homes annually. 

“We look forward to building more biogas plants with Anaergia to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, produce renewable power, and help Japan achieve net-zero by 2050,” comments Yoshimitsu Okada, president director at Toyo Group.

Toyo will contribute via its engineering, procurement and construction contractor.

Heavy transport pollution
While tackling dairy waste as manure is vital to reducing carbon emissions, Fonterra is tackling heavy transport pollutants further up the supply chain by launching New Zealand’s “first” electronic milk tanker, Milk-E. 

“Right across the Co-op, our teams are constantly looking at how we can decrease our emissions – from on farm to at our sites and throughout our transport network,” adds Fraser Whineray, chief operating officer at Fonterra.

The E-tank will improve milk collection, reduce safety concerns and lower the work required to customize a Fonterra tank. The E-tank will improve milk collection, reduce safety concerns and lower the work required to customize a Fonterra tank. Credit: Fonterra.

“In addition to trialing Milk-E’s on-road ability, we’re also trialing a new electric pump, hose configuration and cabinetry,” says Whineray.

“New Zealand has ambitious targets to reduce carbon emissions rapidly, and transport is key, but heavy freight has proven hard to decarbonize. If successful, this project could be replicated across several New Zealand businesses,” adds Nicki Sutherland, manager of investment and engagement at EECA Group. 

Accountability for CO2e
The Ministry for the Environment of New Zealand recently unveiled a 2030 plan for the country to become the first in the world to tax farmers up to 5.5% for their livestock methane emissions. 

In May, Ben & Jerry’s, Straus Family Creamery and Clover Sonoma unveiled Blue Ocean Barns, a supplement for cows made from dehydrated red seaweed that cuts emissions by more than 80%. The supplement got approved by the California Department of Food and Agriculture as an authorized digestive aid for cattle. 

Major dairy player FrieslandCampina also targeted climate-neutral dairy by 2050. Its 2030 targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions include a 63% reduction in production and transport, a 33% reduction in milk from member dairy farmers and a 43% reduction in raw materials and packaging. 

By Venya Patel